INEOS told they bought a player ‘in decline’, ‘there’s a reason’ he was sold by his former clubs

Stretty News

·22. Februar 2025

INEOS told they bought a player ‘in decline’, ‘there’s a reason’ he was sold by his former clubs

Manchester United have salvaged a crucial point at Goodison Park after trailing by two goals until the 72nd minute.

No player covered themself in glory throughout the tumultuous 90-minute affair on Merseyside, though the likes of Patrick Dorgu and goalscorers Bruno Fernandes and Manuel Ugarte earned credit in the bank for their respective showings.

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Barring Dorgu, the least said about United’s defensive contingent, the better. Both Harry Maguire and Matthijs de Ligt were no match for the relentless Beto in his attempts to continue his goalscoring streak, which he was able to do with his 19th-minute strike to break the deadlock.

De Ligt’s display, in particular, prompted a harsh review from the ever-critical journalist Samuel Luckhurst (Manchester Evening News). He said of the Dutchman: “There is a reason Juventus and Bayern sold Matthijs de Ligt, bought on what he did five years ago when he had been in decline for five years.”

De Ligt struggled against the Toffees – but so did every other Red

United’s backline was all over the place in the lead up to Beto’s opener. (Photo by Lewis Storey/Getty Images)

The centre-half played the full match alongside Maguire and Leny Yoro, and, according to Sofascore, he made 11 clearances, one ground duel and recorded an 89 per cent passing accuracy after completing 59 out of 66 of his attempted passes. However, De Ligt also lost possession seven times and won only half of his attempted aerial duels (4/8).

Still, the players are evidently struggling to get to grips with Amorim’s newly implemented system, and he’ll be hoping it’s just a case of ironing out the flaws for the remainder of the term before starting afresh – with signings he’s chosen – in 2025/2026.

Until then, the coach and his men are trying to oversee as respectable end of the term as possible – despite them being on course to oversee the club’s lowest Premier League finish on record.