Featured Image Credit: UEFA/Getty
Topics: Fan Reactions, Virgil Van Dijk, Matthijs De Ligt, Football, Liverpool, Manchester United, Football News
Nasir Jabbar
Topics: Fan Reactions, Virgil Van Dijk, Matthijs De Ligt, Football, Liverpool, Manchester United, Football News
Manchester United fans jumped to the defence of Matthijs de Ligt by calling out Virgil van Dijk for his error against Germany.
De Ligt, who joined Man United from Bayern Munich during the summer transfer window, had a game to forget for the Netherlands, having linked up with his national team for their Nations League fixtures.
He was replaced at half-time following a blunder that led to a Germany goal, which made it 1-1.
Before the break, the Netherlands went behind as Joshua Kimmich scored to put the Germans ahead.
And Man United fans on social media think Van Dijk was at fault, claiming he failed to mark the backpost.
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A clip of the incident emerged online as people took aim at the Liverpool captain to defend De Ligt.
One X user slammed: "Van Dijk has always been bang average at marking and positioning in the penalty box. He’s overrated previous era with actual strikers this would been way more obvious to everyone, he’d still a top CB just nowhere near the best."
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A second added: "Meanwhile Virgil van Dijk is the one at fault, if he's in position this is a simple interception & the goal doesn't happen. It is reputation > production, as per. People criticising Matthijs de Ligt are showing they are doing it because of his club, not footballing reasons."
A third said: "Van DIjk has always been untouchable from the media, even when he makes mistakes. They will find a way to pin it on another player."
A fourth commented: "That’s so bad from Van Dijk not anticipating anything there, ofc only the United player will get criticism."
The Dutch levelled proceedings five minutes after half-time as Denzel Dumfries made it 2-2.
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After the game, Ronald Koeman spoke about taking off De Ligt at the break.
"Of course I would rather have kept Matthijs de Ligt on the pitch. It just looks like he is now in a period where all his mistakes are being punished," he said.
"I gave him a new chance today, but eventually protected him by taking him off."