De Ligt reveals area Manchester United must improve following Arsenal defeat

Manchester United defender Matthijs de Ligt believes that the Red Devils must improve their offensive game after falling short against Arsenal at the Emirates on Wednesday, Soccernet.football reports.

United were condemned to defeat by two well worked Arsenal corner routines in the second half with defenders Jurrien Timber and William Saliba netting the Gunners’ first and second goals respectively from just inside the six yard box.

Speaking to MUTV after the game, De Ligt was satisfied with the Red Devils’ defending on the night, pointing out their offensive game instead, as the area that they “have to” improve.

“In the defensive phase, the amount of chances we conceded without the set-plays [was good],” he said. “In the end, we played a little bit more offensive and conceded some chances at the end.

“But in general, we have to – and we will – offensively improve. We need to know what everyone is doing and we could have hurt them much more.

“We’re still quite early with the new coach, but there are still positives. Overall, I’m really disappointed with the lack of points.”

United’s trip to the Emirates Stadium was the fourth game under new boss Ruben Amorim. De Ligt is conscious that the Portuguese manager has had little time and is certain that the needed improvements will come.

“We’re on the road to improve as a team and I think the manager said it also. Maybe if we do it a certain way we have a bigger chance of getting results right now,” he said.

“I think the way we are going now is obviously not perfect yet and everybody has to improve a lot and get used to the new system, but you can see certain things that are improving.”