Matthijs De Ligt Confident in Manchester United Revival Under Amorim

De Ligt: Man Utd Squad Full of Positivity Under Amorim Ahead of New Season

After one of the most turbulent seasons in recent memory, Matthijs De Ligt has delivered a message of cautious optimism from within the Manchester United dressing room.

The Dutch centre-back, who joined the Red Devils from Bayern Munich last summer, is confident that the tide is beginning to turn, and the recent pre-season win over West Ham is just the first ripple.

United’s 2-1 victory in their Premier League Summer Series opener may have been just a pre-season fixture on paper, but for De Ligt and the team, it felt like a fresh chapter. “You always want to win the first game,” he said post-match, reflecting on the performance in New Jersey. “It sets the tone. It gives you that early belief you need to build something stronger.”

A New Season, A Clean Slate

While many supporters still carry the emotional bruises of a dismal previous campaign, United’s lowest-ever finish in the Premier League and a rare absence from European football, De Ligt is clear-eyed about the need to move forward.

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“No, I don’t think it’s difficult to leave last season behind,” he insisted. “Last season is gone. This is a new one. There’s a lot of positivity now in the camp.”

For a team starved of rhythm and consistency last year, this renewed sense of unity and energy is vital. And according to De Ligt, the shift isn't just external, it’s coming from within. “We owe it to the fans, of course,” he acknowledged. “But first, we owe it to ourselves. None of us were happy with how we performed last year. That has to change.”

Amorim’s Influence and the Time Advantage

The absence of European competition might sting for fans hoping for magical European nights, but De Ligt sees the silver lining. “If we use the time well, it can definitely be an advantage,” he explained. “There’s more time to train, to build something solid at Carrington with Amorim. That daily work can really elevate us.

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“You could already see what we’re trying to do,” he noted, referring to the high tempo and structure shown in the West Ham match. “There’s more to come, but this was a good start. We’re still at the beginning, but the intensity was there. These games matter, not just for results but to build belief.”

De Ligt joined United last summer and endured a difficult debut Premier League campaign, with injuries also hampering his progress.

Looking Ahead

The focus now shifts to the next Summer Series fixtures against Bournemouth and Everton, but all eyes remain on the season opener against Arsenal. For De Ligt, it’s clear that while there's plenty of work to be done, the squad's mood is night and day from a few months ago.

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“We’re working every day to be ready. If we keep training hard, believing in what we’re doing, and growing together, we can make this season very different.”