Manchester United secured a 2-1 victory over local rivals Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium last weekend, with late goals from Bruno Fernandes and Amad. United’s performance was impressive, showing resilience and control throughout the match, a marked improvement compared to previous struggles against City and other top-six teams on the road.
In an interview with United Review, Matthijs de Ligt reflected on the importance of the win and the team’s development under new manager Ruben Amorim.
“It’s a great feeling and an important win for us,” De Ligt said. “But we quickly realized that while it was a big result, we have to stay focused because there are a lot of crucial games ahead. Given where we are in the table, we can’t afford to relax.”
De Ligt highlighted the significance of the victory in changing the team’s mindset. “I read it’s been a long time since United won away against a top-six side. This kind of result helps instill belief in the team—reminding everyone that we are Manchester United. We can win games we’re expected to, but also compete against teams that might currently be considered stronger or further along in their development.”
The defender emphasized the progress the team is making under Amorim. “The most important thing is that we’re growing as a team. You can feel it and see it on the pitch. Some recent results could have been better, but the group feels like we’re starting to understand the manager’s system and each other’s roles more clearly. Growth is key—winning without improvement won’t help us reach our full potential. Our focus has been on development, and now we’re starting to see the results. Hopefully, we can build on this and keep improving.”
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