- Matthijs de Ligt offered a scathing analysis of his showing for the Netherlands
- Defender made a pair of mistakes as Ronald Koeman’s side won 5-2 in Eindhoven
- LISTEN NOW: It’s All Kicking Off! , available wherever you get your podcasts. New episodes every Monday and Thursday
Matthijs de Ligt did not mince words as he admitted he was far from his best after enduring a dismal display on international duty.
The Netherlands entered their clash with Bosnia and Herzegovina as sizeable favourites and promptly delivered on their billing as fellow Man United star Joshua Zirkzee fired them into an early lead.
Ermedin Demirovic capitalised on a defensive error from United’s £43m summer signing to draw the visitors level before Tijjani Reijnders restored the Netherlands’ lead before the interval.
Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo extended their advantage early in the second half before De Ligt was once again caught out allowing Edin Dzeko to put the pressure on.
While goals from Wout Weghorst and Xavi Simons ensured victory in the Nations League clash, De Ligt admitted post-match that he was frustrated with his performance.
Matthijs de Ligt offered a brutally honest assessment of his performance on international duty
Dutchman made pair of errors, with a particularly glaring mistake allowing Edin Dzeko to score
But the Netherlands ultimately triumphed against Bosnia and Herzegovina, with De Ligt’s Man United team-mate Joshua Zirkzee getting on the scoresheet
‘I think you know how I feel, we won but then comes the individual part’ he said.
‘I should have done better at their second goal, and I know that. I don’t really know what happened.. I should have cleared the ball but I kept having doubts during the play. It’s just f****d.’
‘If this game is a missed opportunity for me? I don’t know, I just try to do my best.’
Netherlands boss Ronald Koeman admitted De Ligt had made mistakes but insisted it was important not to dwell on them going forward.
‘He himself realises that he was in the wrong position.’ The former Everton boss explained.
‘This should not happen, but mistakes are part of football. I think it is unfair to make a big deal out of it.’
Despite arriving as a marquee signing this summer from Bayern Munich, De Ligt was limited to cameo appearances from the bench in his first two Manchester United games with Erik ten Hag preferring a defensive partnership of Lisandro Martinez and Harry Maguire.
Ronald Koeman admitted De Ligt had made an error but insisted the need to move forward
De Ligt has started just one game for Man United since completing his £43m move from Bayern Munich
The Dutchman was given a baptism of fire in his first Premier League start last weekend as Liverpool ran riot in a 3-0 win at Old Trafford.
Shortly after being shown a yellow card in the second-half Ten Hag opted to replace his compatriot with Maguire, meaning De Ligt is still yet to play a full 90 minutes for United.