Matthijs de Ligt's Decline: A Hasty Departure from Bayern Munich?

Matthijs de Ligt, a former Ajax prodigy, had a promising start to his career, but his development was hindered at Bayern Munich under Thomas Tuchel. The German coach reportedly grew frustrated with De Ligt's slow build-up play and his tendency to play too many sideways passes. This led to a decline in his playing time, making him Tuchel's fourth-choice central defender. De Ligt's eventual departure to Manchester United for £42 million marked the end of his two-year stint in Germany.

Key Takeaways:

• De Ligt's progress was stunted at Bayern Munich, particularly in his last season, where he found himself as Tuchel's fourth-choice central defender.
• Tuchel reportedly believed De Ligt was too slow in building up play and played too many sideways passes, leading to his decline in playing time.
• De Ligt has already made three appearances for Manchester United since his signing and had his first start in their 3-0 defeat to Liverpool at Old Trafford.
• Due to Stefan de Vrij's muscular injury, De Ligt reclaimed his spot in the starting line-up alongside Virgil van Dijk, but struggled in the Netherlands' Nations League matches against Bosnia and Herzegovina and Germany.
• Netherlands boss Ronald Koeman admitted to "protecting" De Ligt by substituting him at halftime in the match against Germany.
• De Ligt's mistakes were punished during his time with the Netherlands, prompting Koeman to give him a new chance in the match against Germany.

Statistics:

• £42 million: The amount Manchester United paid for De Ligt's transfer from Bayern Munich.
• 2 years: The duration of De Ligt's stint at Bayern Munich before his departure to Manchester United.
• £68 million: The amount Bayern Munich originally paid for De Ligt's transfer from Juventus two years prior.
• 3: The number of appearances De Ligt made for Manchester United before his first start against Liverpool at Old Trafford.
• 2: The number of goals conceded by De Ligt in his two matches with the Netherlands against Bosnia and Herzegovina and Germany.

Sources:

• tz: A Munich-based tabloid with regular access to Bayern matches.
• Dutch broadcaster NOS: A broadcast outlet that aired Netherlands boss Ronald Koeman's statements about De Ligt.