Former Manchester United flagship Jaap Stam has expressed his belief that Matthijs de Ligt is on course for a promising future under the guidance of new manager Ruben Amorim. Following Erik ten Hag’s departure, the club quickly secured the services of Amorim, who is preparing to take charge in mid-November during the international break. Ruud van Nistelrooy will take over as interim coach during this period.
Amorim has earned a reputation as one of Europe’s leading young tacticians, molding a distinctive style whilst achieving significant success at Sporting Lisbon, where he won two league titles.
However, his imminent appointment sparked speculation about the fate of several players, particularly those acquired during Ten Hag’s reign. De Ligt, who transferred from Bayern Munich partly due to the influence of Ten Hag, is highlighted. The Dutch defender recognized Ten Hag as a mentor who has the power to bring out the best in him thanks to his successful spell at Ajax.
Despite a troubled start to his career at Old Trafford, Stam remains optimistic about De Ligt’s future under Amorim, especially considering the manager’s preference for a three-back formation, which could suit De Ligt’s characteristics.
“I believe Matthijs will shine even more with Amorim in charge, especially if he opts for three defenders,” said Stam in an interview with Metro.co.uk. “He can fit into that trio either on the right or in a central role, providing plenty of options. There is no reason to worry. Matthijs has the talent and can certainly improve further. Consistency and confidence will come with more playing time in this new league, and that’s a natural progression.”
At Sporting, Amorim often used a 3-4-2-1 formation, occasionally switching to a 3-4-3 or even a 3-5-2, with three defenders being a constant in his tactical arrangements.
While injuries have plagued United this season, the return of summer signing Leny Yoro, who is recovering from a broken metatarsal, could provide a boost to the team’s defensive options. With Harry Maguire also in the squad, Stam foresees a tactical change in sight.
“There are many viable options for this formation. With De Ligt, Lisandro Martínez and Yoro available, along with Harry Maguire, who can play centrally in this trio, the choices are plentiful”, detailed Stam. “Midfield, however, presents a bigger conundrum. Which two players will fill that role? It’s a significant question. Bruno Fernandes could form a pair with Kobbie Mainoo, combining creativity and dynamism in front of the three defenders. That would be my combination ideal.”
Erik ten Hag’s tenure came to an end after winning two trophies in two seasons, which fell short after a disastrous start to the 2024-25 campaign.
Stam emphasizes the parallels between Ten Hag’s trajectory and Amorim’s transition from a similar league to taking on one of football’s most illustrious roles. “It’s somewhat similar to when Erik took charge at United, with uncertainty surrounding the appointment,” he notes.
“We need to respect every new coach at the club. Amorim’s track record speaks for itself, winning trophies and maintaining a clear philosophy about how he wants his teams to play. But that was also true for Erik when he arrived. He implements a different approach in Portugal, often using five at the back or variants with wingers. The lingering question is whether he will use the same players that Erik favored. It is imperative that the club supports the new manager in the next transfer window to prosper.”
Jaap Stam shared these insights while representing BetMGM. Join the excitement this season with the £1 million Golden Goals game, predicting the Premier League results. BeGambleAware 18+
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