Manchester United defender Matthijs De Ligt has advocated for a fresh start at the club, as they look to rebuild confidence after a dismal season.
The Red Devils ended their 2024-25 league campaign in 15th position, their worst-ever finish since suffering relegation into the second division in 1974.
They also lost 18 times in the league and finished with their lowest point tally in over 50 years, ending the season with 42 points.
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Speaking after the 2-1 victory over West Ham United in the Premier League Summer Series as Manchester United began their preseason tour of the United States with a win, De Ligt admitted the need for the team to regain confidence after enduring an embarrassing season.
“I think after a season like that, it’s normal to have to build your confidence,” De Ligt said.
“So that’s why I think a win [against West Ham] is really important. I think with winning, you become more confident. You start to believe more in what you’re doing.
Last season is last season; new season, new season. There’s a lot of positivity now in the camp. Also, some new players. We have a lot of time to train now. So that aspect is really, really important now”, he continued.
“We are all unhappy with our performances last season. We owe it also to ourselves to play much better. hopefully we can give the fans a lot more joy this season.”
The Red Devils also suffered heartbreak in the Europa League final, losing 1-0 to Tottenham Hotspur as they missed the chance to grab a spot in the UEFA Champions League.
“I think if you use the time well, it can definitely be an advantage,” De Ligt added.
“Obviously, as a football player, you want to play as much as possible. So it’s a shame we are not in Europe.
But I think if you saw the last season, also in the Premier League, some teams were in the Champions League, had a difficult season in the Premier League”, the Dutch defender stated.
“So I think if we use the time well, if we train every day at maximum, we can make it our advantage.”
Olakitan is a young writer with a strong passion for sports, having gained experience with IndyPress and Nimelssa Press. His enthusiasm for sports inspired him to cover events both within his school and beyond. With a deep understanding of the game and a refined skillset, he brings sports coverage to a broad, global audience in a way that’s engaging and accessible.
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