Matthijs de Ligt’s Manchester United Return Ends in Frustrating Defeat to Como
Matthijs de Ligt’s long-awaited return to football proved far more difficult than Manchester United would have hoped. After spending 11 months out of action, the centre-back was placed straight into the starting XI against Como on Wednesday evening. The result was a punishing 4-1 defeat—and an immediate wave of criticism from British media.
De Ligt had little time to settle. Como took the lead after only two minutes, with Nico Paz producing a fine finish to put United on the back foot. The Italian side continued to exploit gaps in the defence, adding further goals through Anastasios Douvikas, Paz and Jacobo Ramón. Joshua Zirkzee scored for United, but his late effort did little to change the tone of a difficult night.
A demanding assignment after 11 months out
Returning from a lengthy spell on the sidelines is challenging under any circumstances. Doing so against a lively, mobile attack, in a match where the opposition scored early, offered De Ligt little opportunity to ease back into competitive football. United manager Michael Carrick nevertheless turned to the defender, with the team facing limited options at the back.
The decision placed De Ligt in a demanding position. A centre-back returning from a long absence must rebuild match fitness, timing and confidence, while also adapting to the speed of live competition. Those challenges become more pronounced when opponents press aggressively and move quickly between the lines. Como’s forwards repeatedly asked questions of United’s defence, and the visitors struggled to contain them.
De Ligt’s difficult evening should be viewed in that context. His performance was under intense scrutiny, but he was also returning after 325 days without playing and was asked to begin immediately in a high-pressure match. That does not erase the defensive problems United showed, but it helps explain why the comeback proved so challenging.
British media hand De Ligt low ratings
The Sun awarded De Ligt a rating of 4, pointing to the circumstances of his return and the difficulty of facing Como’s energetic forward line. The newspaper described his selection as a “thankless start” after 325 days out, arguing that he struggled to cope with the movement and intensity of the opposition.
The report also suggested that De Ligt’s physical condition became a concern as the match progressed. According to The Sun, his legs appeared to tire before Como had moved two goals ahead, while Carrick repeatedly checked on how the defender was feeling. The comments underline the risk of asking a player to handle a full competitive test before he has had the chance to build up his match sharpness.
The BBC also gave De Ligt a 4. Its assessment described the comeback as a “false start,” noting that there was no opportunity for the defender to ease into the game. Como’s attacking players were considered too mobile for a United back line that struggled to stay organised, leaving De Ligt with what the broadcaster called “a night to forget.”
Schmeichel questions the timing of the comeback
Former Manchester United goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel was similarly critical. He highlighted the lack of recent playing time, observing that De Ligt had not featured since November of the previous season. Schmeichel’s central point was that the defender’s long absence was visible during the match.
That assessment reflects a broader question for United: how should a returning player be brought back into the team? A gradual introduction can protect a player while allowing him to regain rhythm, but injuries, squad availability and the demands of the schedule can limit a manager’s choices. Carrick may have felt De Ligt was needed from the start, yet the match exposed the risks of relying on a defender who had not played for almost a year.
What the defeat could mean for Manchester United
The 4-1 scoreline will increase scrutiny of United’s defensive organisation, but it should not automatically define De Ligt’s season. One difficult appearance after an extended absence provides only a narrow snapshot of his current level. His next performances will offer a clearer indication of how quickly he can recover his fitness and rebuild understanding with his teammates.
For United, the priority will be to assess the defender’s condition before deciding how much football he can manage. Training time, carefully planned minutes and consistent communication between the player and coaching staff could help him return without placing unnecessary pressure on his recovery. The club will also need to address the collective issues that allowed Como to create so much danger, rather than treating the defeat as a problem belonging to one player alone.
United’s schedule offers little room to dwell on the result. The club is listed to face Sunderland in the Premier League on October 25, while Como are scheduled to meet Sassuolo in Serie A on October 24. De Ligt’s availability and role in United’s next fixture will therefore be closely watched, although any decision should depend on his fitness rather than the urgency to respond to criticism.
Prediction: De Ligt needs time to find his rhythm
Any prediction about De Ligt’s immediate impact should be cautious. His experience and defensive qualities remain valuable, but match sharpness cannot be restored in a single appearance. If he is given time to rebuild fitness and settle back into the side, he may yet become an important part of United’s defence. The Como match was a painful return, but it is too early to treat it as a verdict on his ability.
For now, the main takeaway is that De Ligt was thrown into a difficult contest after an exceptionally long absence. The British media’s low ratings reflect a performance in which he struggled to match Como’s pace, while also highlighting the challenge of returning directly to the starting XI. United will hope his comeback improves from here—and that the team’s defensive response is stronger in the matches ahead.
