Manchester United defender Matthijs de Ligt is enjoying a remarkable resurgence this season, attributing his impressive form to a significant shift in his mental approach under manager Ruben Amorim.
A New Mindset at Old Trafford
The 26-year-old Dutch centre-back is the only Manchester United player to have featured in every single minute of Premier League action this campaign. His commanding performances have not gone unnoticed, with many now considering him the club's standout player of the season so far.
De Ligt's influence was never more apparent than during the recent dramatic 2-2 draw with Tottenham, where he powered in a stoppage-time equaliser for the Red Devils just before the international break.
From Overthinker to On-Pitch Leader
In a candid interview with Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf, the former Ajax, Bayern Munich, and Juventus star opened up about the psychological transformation behind his improved displays.
He admitted that the intense scrutiny he faced from a young age, having been named Ajax captain at just 18, made it 'difficult not to accept the criticism' whenever he made mistakes. 'I am a person who thinks a lot, especially when I receive a lot of criticism,' De Ligt confessed.
His new philosophy marks a clear departure from his previous mindset. 'My mentality has changed, from not making mistakes to doing as many things right as possible,' he explained. 'Now I am at an age where I know what works for me and what doesn't.'
International Recognition and Dutch Depth
This rich vein of form has earned De Ligt a recall to the Netherlands squad for their upcoming World Cup qualification matches against Poland and Lithuania.
The defender acknowledged his disappointment at being omitted by manager Ronald Koeman for last month's qualifiers against Malta and Finland. He was quick, however, to highlight the fierce competition for places in the Dutch defence, which includes the likes of Virgil van Dijk, Micky van de Ven, and Jurrien Timber.
'Yes, of course something like that affects you [being left out], but then I immediately think: 'Let's go',' said De Ligt, demonstrating his resilient new outlook. 'I am used to many things in football. So I wouldn't necessarily call the decision harsh.'
He emphasised that maintaining his current high standards is paramount for international selection. 'What is very clear is that we have a lot of competition in defence right now, and you have to be at your best to be in the selection.'
The Netherlands can secure their World Cup qualification in their match against Poland, as Koeman's side currently holds a three-point lead over their closest rivals with a vastly superior goal difference.
