De Ligt transforms into a "defensive monster"!

De Ligt transforms into a "defensive monster"! On the rainy night of the Gods, the new defensive leader was born

On September 21, 2025, heavy rains were pouring in Old Trafford, and a stormy Premier League focus battle was staged here. Manchester United beat Chelsea 2-1 and struggled to score a valuable three-pointer. In this dramatic victory, the real dominance of the game was not the goal-scoring hero, but the Dutch defender who silently built a wall deep in the defense line - De Ligt. Manchester United took the initiative at the beginning of the game. In the 5th minute, Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez was sent off for a foul in the penalty area, and the Red Devils quickly seized the advantage of the numbers. Bruno Fernandez and Casemiro scored one after another, and the 2-0 score made the victory seem to be within reach.

However, the cruelty of football lies in the fact that advantages are fleeting. Casemiro was sent off when he turned yellow and one red. Manchester United instantly changed from hitting one more man to ten people fighting. The second half evolved into a battle of will in the heavy rain. Chelsea won a game back by Charoba, and its morale was greatly boosted and its offensive was thrilling. Manchester United's defense is in turmoil, and it is at this most critical moment that De Ligt stepped forward.

He did not score a goal, but it was more critical than a goal - he used his precise interception, calm command and steely will to resolve Chelsea's counterattack again and again.

Turning on the data, De Ligt contributed 4 blocking, 2 steals and 2 successful interceptions throughout the game, with an overall advantage in the air and ground confrontation, with a pass success rate of up to 86%. What's even more amazing is that he even once stepped forward to the edge of the opponent's penalty area and sent out a very threatening cross, almost rewriting the score again.

But what really moved the fans were those moments that could not be fully reflected:

He roared in the rain to command the defense line, filling the vacancy after Casemiro left the court;

He took the initiative to press forward, compressing the pass space of the Chelsea midfield, forcing his opponent to make frequent mistakes;

He flew to block the gun hole many times in the last ten minutes, and even stained the field with blood, and still insisted on fighting.

After the game, some fans wrote on social media: "D Ligt is a monster! He has shed blood for this game!" Some fans even bluntly said: "He is currently Manchester United's strongest defender, and may even be the best central defender in the entire Premier League!" These praises are no exaggeration.

De Ligt's outbreak is also perfectly in line with coach Ruben Amorin's tactical philosophy. In the 3-4-2-1 system, the linebacker is not only a barrier to the defense line, but also an initiator of offense and defense transformation. De Ligt took the initiative to press forward to the midfield area many times, cut off the opponent's offensive route, and turned defense into the starting point of the offensive.

In contrast, although young player Lenny Yoro has potential, he is still immature in stability and overall situation. After this game, De Ligt almost declared with his performance that the right center back position is his "territory".

From questioning to leader: The Dutch Iron Guard's road to rebirth

Two years ago, when De Ligt first entered Old Trafford, he was questioned: Can he adapt to the high-intensity rhythm of the Premier League? Can we gain a foothold in Manchester United’s complex tactical system? Now, he has given the loudest answer with a top performance.

The 26-year-old Dutch international has experienced ups and downs in Juventus and Bayern Munich and was once labeled as "opening high and closing low". But at Manchester United, he found the role that suits him best - a defensive core that combines strength, intelligence and leadership.

He not only has a tough defense, but also has excellent awareness of assisting defense and ball-taking ability, and can even create threats before critical moments. His calmness and decisiveness are the "peace of mind" that this young Manchester United needs most.