Manchester United legend Jaap Stam claims Matthijs de Ligt will benefit from Ruben Amorim’s new defensive system

Former Manchester United defender Jaap Stam has claimed that summer signing Matthijs de Ligt with be a major beneficiary of Ruben Amorim’s tactics at Old Trafford.

It was announced officially yesterday that Amorim would become the new head coach of United during the international break in just over a week’s time.

Numerous United superstars have been underperforming under Erik ten Hag and will hope that a new coach with a fresh approach will breathe life into their Old Trafford careers.

One such player is Matthijs de Ligt, who has had an up-and-down start to his United career, where at times he has looked incredibly solid and others overly rash and slow on the turn.

United legend Jaap Stam believes that Amorim will be just the tonic that De Ligt requires to light up his United career, however.

Speaking to Metro, Stam claimed “I think Matthijs has an even brighter future when Amorim comes in, especially if he decides to play with three centre-backs.”

Amorim usually plays a 3-4-3 or 3-4-2-1 formation, so he is likely to bring the same ideas to Old Trafford, which would mean United would switch to a back three for the first time since the days of Louis van Gaal.

Elaborating on why this system switch could be beneficial for De Ligt, he stated, “he can be one of those for sure, he can play in the right of that centre three or in the middle. There are a lot of options. So I’m not afraid or worried for him. He’s got the ability, he has the ability to improve too.”

Stam did warn that there are things he needs to do better, like “be more consistent in his playing style” and be “more confident,” but admitted that will only come with more time on the pitch.

The Dutchman believes that his former side does have the personnel to play a back three as Lisandro Martinez and Leno Yoro can also play in this system, and that Harry Maguire also has the potential to fill in when required.

The 1999 treble winner did have more concerns about the midfield, however, as he stated, “but the biggest issue for me will be in midfield. What two will he use? It is a big question mark.”

Nonetheless, he believes that Bruno Fernandes, alongside Kobbie Mainoo, would provide the most creativity and energy in the centre of the park.

United fans will have to wait until the 24th of November when Amorim will take control of his first match in charge at Portman Road versus Ipswich Town.