We compare Matthijs de Ligt Man United stats to his Ajax breakthrough, some surprising details emerge
Man United won back-to-back games for the first time under Ruben Amorim as Matthijs de Ligt shone once again.
The Red Devils put in a resolute performance to beat Liverpool 2-1 on 19 October in a shock away victory for the under-fire Portuguese manager.
Harry Maguire scored the winner against Liverpool to take all three points back to Old Trafford as Arne Slot rued missed opportunities for his stuttering side.
Also in defence, the display of De Ligt caught the eye as part of a dogged United rearguard, working relentlessly to keep the Reds out as he continues his impressive form of late.
Football Insider compares the 26-year-old’s 2018-19 Ajax season that put him on the European map with his current campaign at Man United, using data from FBRef.
Ruben Amorim key to De Ligt’s career resurrection as he rediscovers Ajax form
When Man United signed De Ligt from Bayern Munich back in August 2024, eyebrows were raised considering his deplorable form since leaving The Netherlands.
The Dutchman broke through at Ajax where he made his name, eventually securing a big money move to Juventus and later the German giants.
Yet, thrown into the furnace of European elites, the centre-back struggled to adapt, seeing both clubs desperately offload him to cut their losses.
However, at Old Trafford, Amorim has been key to restoring him to his former youth glory before embarking on the difficult moves to Italy and Germany.
Firstly, his passing accuracy is in touching distance of his Ajax days, finding 86.5 per cent of his targets for the Red Devils compared to his previous 88.4 per cent.
Secondly, De Ligt’s tackles won are higher in 2025-26 with 1.36 per-90, vastly surpassing his 0.66 per-90 with the Dutch club.
| Selected stats Matthijs de Ligt | Ajax 2018-19 | Man United 2025-26 (as of 21 October) |
| Passing accuracy (%) | 88.4% | 86.5% |
| Tackles won per-90 | 0.66 | 1.36 |
| Clearances | 4.18 | 5.25 |
| Blocks | 1.18 | 1.13 |
| Interceptions | 1.18 | 0.91 |
Moreover, the number four is more decisive with his clearances, notching 5.25 per-90 instead of the 4.18 per-90 when he was a breakout star.
The signs indicate that the Netherlands international is truly on his way back to his Ajax levels, which bode well for Amorim and United.
Amorim’s back three integral to future success at Man United
Alongside the ex-Juventus man, the Portuguese manager has been quietly forming a much stronger defence than has been seen in recent years at Old Trafford.
Maguire’s return to form has been nothing short of astonishing as well as Luke Shaw’s assured consistency in a make-shift left-sided centre-back role.
Lenny Yoro is also working his way up the ladder, once touted as the next exciting defensive prodigy to come out of France when he was signed in the summer of 2024.
Fan favourite Lisandro Martinez is nearing a return from injury which will add even greater depth and tenacity to the Red Devil rearguard.
Indeed, United fans will not be getting ahead of themselves after finally claiming two wins in-a-row for the first time under the ex-Sporting CP boss.
However, perhaps the pieces are beginning to fall into place for Amorim in his long-term project, as his side seek a crucial comeback after years of torment and embarrassment.