Dimitar Berbatov raises concerns over Matthijs de Ligt and his injury record

Manchester United legend Dimitar Berbatov has voiced his concerns with the injury record of new Manchester United signing Matthijs De Ligt and how his body would cope with the pace, intensity and physicality that the Premier League has to offer. The Dutchman has missed 67 games through injury in his career, including 20 just last season with 4 separate injuries.

The defender sealed his move to Old Trafford from German club Bayern Munich along with teammate Noussair Mazraoui. The combined deal is expected to have cost United £60 million. De Ligt’s deal will keep him at the Old Trafford till 2029.

The Bulgarian, who played for United between 2008 and 2012, was largely in praise of the defender in his comments but also highlighted the injury concern. “Obviously Ten Hag knows him. They were at Ajax together. Then he moved to Juventus and then Bayern Munich. That jumping from team to team, some can argue against this, but the thing is that every team he went to, they became champions. So let’s hope that it’s good karma and he brings it to United”, he said.

Berbatov continued, “Outside of the jokes and funny things, he is a really good defender so let’s hope he can stay fit – the most important thing for any player. And Ten Hag will put faith in him and let’s see how he will start in the Premier League because it is a different beast. Let’s see how he will handle the speed and all the quick players coming against him.”

De Ligt made his United debut against Fulham on the opening day coming off the bench to play nine minutes.