De Ligt on his love for Harry Potter, Ibiza, pizza and much more

Despite Manchester United’s challenging start to the season, Matthijs de Ligt has remained a beacon of stability. The Dutch defender, who joined the club from Bayern Munich this summer, has quickly become an integral part of the Red Devils’ backline.

While the team has faced difficulties, de Ligt’s composure and defensive prowess have been instrumental in mitigating the damage. As United look to turn their fortunes around, the towering center-back’s presence will be crucial in their quest for improved results. With a crucial match against Aston Villa on the horizon, de Ligt is eager to contribute to a much-needed victory.

This week, Showmax Premier League features an interview with the Dutch defender as he discusses everything from football to his love for Harry Potter.

You got married recently. What has married life been like and what has life been like in the UK since you moved?

It’s been really nice. It’s been a very eventful summer, but everything went well and I’m just really happy to be here now.

Anything in England surprise you since you moved?

The weather is even worse than I thought lol.

You played in all six Premier League games this season and you’ve already scored your first goal. How thrilled are you to have scored so early in your Man United career?

It’s really nice to score as a centre back. Obviously, it’s not your first priority as a centre back but it’s always nice to help the team with a goal.

You’ve strengthened your team’s defence. Where do you think you can help your team the most?

I think I can help my team most with defending but also to speak a lot and communicate well with the team. To bring the ball from the back to the forwards, but there is also a big possibility to improve, so there are a lot of areas that I can help.

Where do you think you have the most room to improve in the team?

There is always a lot of things you can improve on as a footballer. Nothing is perfect yet so I try to improve everyday with all the things that I do to become a better player and to help the team with everything possible.

At Manchester United, you are reunited with Erik ten Hag, your old coach from Ajax. Has it been much easier to adapt at your new club, having worked with the manager before?

Yeah. I always think it’s easier to go to a club where you are familiar with the coach and know how he works, so yeah it makes it easy.

What do you like the most about Erik Ten Hag as a manager?

He really gives a lot of information. He likes to think about details, and I really like that because it helps you improve as a player, everyday and every week.

You don the number 4 jersey at Man United following in the footsteps of United legends such as Nemanja Vidic. But does this number have any significant meaning for you ?

Yeah, it’s the number I wore at all of the clubs I played for before. It’s a really big honour that I can also play with the number at such a big club like Manchester United. This number gave me a really good feeling, and centre backs normally wear the numbers 3 or 4.

Are you hoping to leave a lasting legacy at United just like many others who donned the number four jersey at United?

I think everybody would like to do that. So I will try to do my best, try to write my own story and hopefully it can be a really successful one.

What is the atmosphere like in the dressing room after United’s defeat to Tottenham Hotspur last weekend, and what was talked about on the training field following the defeat?

We analysed the game, and we analysed what we could do better, and there’s still lots of room for improvement. So we focused on areas where we can improve, and so hopefully in the next game we will do better.

You played in three of the biggest football leagues in the world. What are the main differences between the Bundesliga, Serie A and the Premier League?

The biggest difference in every league that I feel is the intensity. It’s all really high intensity but I feel like the Premier League is the highest. Every league has its own things and it was really nice to experience these different leagues.

On Sunday you are facing Aston Villa , and Villa Park is known as one of the toughest stadiums to go to in the Premier League. What are you hoping to achieve at Villa Park ?

I hope we can win and we can get a clean sheet and take the three points with us.

Quick fire questions

Who is the toughest opponent you have ever faced? Lionel Messi.

What is your favourite book? I like to read Harry Potter books.

What is your favourite movie? Gladiator.

What do you always have in your fridge? Fruit.

What is your dream car? I don’t really have a dream car. As long as the car can drive, that is the most important thing for me.

What motivates you the most? Trying to become the best version of myself possibly.

What is your favourite cheat meal? Pizza!

Your favourite holiday destination? Ibiza.

Cats or dogs? Cats.

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