Matthijs de Ligt Embraces Five-At-The-Back System Under Amorim

Manchester United centre-back Matthijs de Ligt has expressed that adapting to the five-at-the-back system under manager Ruben Amorim is becoming increasingly manageable. Amid ongoing scrutiny surrounding Amorim’s tactical decisions, particularly his preference for a three-centre-back formation supported by two wing-backs, many critics have called for a shift to a more conventional four-at-the-back strategy to improve results.

In a pre-match briefing before United’s recent victory over Burnley, Amorim defended his approach, stating, “Guys, if I feel that it’s best to change… I played all my life in the 4-4-2, 4-3-3. The only system that I didn’t play one minute: 3-4-3.” He emphasized his commitment to developing a system that can adapt to various styles rather than frequently switching formations based on immediate performance.

United is currently enjoying a five-game unbeaten streak and sits just one point outside the top four in the Premier League. De Ligt has played a crucial role in this success, starting every league match this season. His confidence in the five-at-the-back setup was evident during a recent international fixture where he played the full 90 minutes alongside Virgil van Dijk in a back four, helping the Netherlands secure a victory over Lithuania in their final World Cup qualifier.

After the match, De Ligt addressed questions regarding his preferred defensive system. “No, I don’t really have a preference,” he stated to Flashscore. “We play with a five-man defence at Manchester United, but on paper, we defend with four. It didn’t feel awkward today; it felt the same as always. I’m more experienced with a five-man defence now; the more experience you have, the easier it gets.”

De Ligt’s comments reflect a growing familiarity with Amorim’s tactics. In the last match before the November international break, United often transitioned to a back four, with Luke Shaw moving into central midfield, illustrating De Ligt’s adaptability in different systems.

The Netherlands’ qualification for the World Cup is a significant achievement for De Ligt, who expressed his joy after making his first start for his country since November 2022. “Whether it’s a comeback? Yeah, a bit,” he acknowledged. “I wasn’t here last time, I haven’t started for a long time, so I’m delighted with today. The season is going well so far.”

Looking ahead, De Ligt remains focused on maintaining his fitness and form as the World Cup approaches. “It’s still far away,” he cautioned. “It’ll be about being fit a lot; that’s the most important thing to everyone.”

As Matthijs de Ligt continues to adapt to Ruben Amorim’s tactical framework at Manchester United, his experience and growing confidence will be vital as the team aims for a successful run in both domestic and international competitions.