Jaap Stam says Manchester United's defensive issues are collective, not just about individuals, and he thinks Matthijs de Ligt's return can help by bringing more organisation and communication. United have conceded twice in every Premier League game this season, and they have done the same in 10 of Michael Carrick's 20 league matches in charge.
"I think it’s the second one," Stam told the Manchester Evening News. He said United need to "defensively control the game by not giving away opportunities", and added that the team must be "steady as a team" if they want to win trophies.
Stam's view on United's defending
Stam's point is straightforward: if the back line keeps leaving opponents chances, the fix has to be more than swapping one centre-back in and out. He said United could do better with "our defensive work and getting back behind the ball quicker, defending as a unit and not giving away these opportunities. It happens too often that United give away these goals."
That is why de Ligt matters in this conversation. Stam described him as a defender who can play out from the back, is hard to beat physically and is always trying to organise, which is the sort of profile that can help a side settle rather than simply add cover.
De Ligt's return and the Brighton tie
It’s approaching nine months since de Ligt last played for United, while Sports Mole put the absence at eight-and-a-half months and said he is back in training and expected to be available in the coming weeks. The exact return date is still unknown, but his comeback is close enough to matter now.
United's next match is against Brighton in the third round of the EFL Cup, not a league game, and that is where the defensive depth issue comes into focus again. Stam also pointed to Luke Shaw, saying United need stronger cover at full-back because Shaw has struggled with injuries and more matches are coming.
Shaw has made three league appearances this season, which leaves little margin if United want to rotate without losing control. Stam also raised right-back depth, saying [Diogo Dalot] and [Noussair Mazraoui] can play there, but United may still need a better defensive option in that role.
The core point remains the same: United do not just need another body back, they need a calmer back line. De Ligt can help with that when he is ready, and Brighton is the next chance to see whether the team can stop the same mistakes from showing up again.
Written by Jack Mercer with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 2 outlets. How we work →
