Matthijs de Ligt: Man Utd's five-man defence plays like a back four

At the start of the season, the spotlight was firmly on whether he could recapture the commanding form that once saw him spoken of in the same breath as Franz Beckenbauer.

Three months on, he has not only met those expectations but surpassed them, emerging as a genuine leader through a series of authoritative performances.

Ronald Koeman rewarded that revival with a return to the national setup, handing De Ligt a start in the 4-0 victory over Lithuania.

Operating in a flat back four, the defender delivered a composed display, looking entirely at ease despite the contrast with his club role.

Koeman's system, built around traditional full-backs and a more rigid defensive line, offers a markedly different profile from the structure De Ligt has been working in under Ruben Amorim.

At club level, Amorim had initially earmarked De Ligt as the central pillar of a back three. However, the growing influence of Harry Maguire pushed the Dutchman to the right side of the trio - a position that, in Amorim's approach, demands far more than purely defensive work.

Wide centre-backs are expected to step into midfield, progress play, and defend expansively, responsibilities De Ligt has embraced with notable success.

Following the win over Lithuania, De Ligt used the occasion to set the record straight on perceptions of Amorim's back-three system, emphasising that the role is more nuanced and demanding than many assume.

"We play with a five-man defence at Manchester United, but on paper, we defend with four," said De Ligt.

"It didn't feel awkward today; it felt the same as always. I can play in both systems. I'm more experienced with a five-man defence now; the more experience you have, the easier it gets." 

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