Matthijs de Ligt has emerged as Ruben Amorim's most important Manchester United player this season.

A stalwart at the back, the central defender is the only player to have played every single minute of United's Premier League campaign so far this term.

With Amorim a known tinkerman, not least during games, especially at centre-back, De Ligt's ever presence is a testament to his growing influence at Old Trafford.

When De Ligt signed for United in August 2024, Old Trafford had acquired a then-24-year-old who had struggled to live up to the lofty billing of his early career.

Having captained Ajax at 18, De Ligt was tipped to become one of the game's finest defenders. He became the first defender to win the Golden Boy in 2018, the trophy awarded to the best U21 player.

That was before his

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