De Ligt's display, in particular, prompted a harsh review from the ever-critical journalist Samuel Luckhurst (Manchester Evening News). He said of the Dutchman: "There is a reason Juventus and Bayern sold Matthijs de Ligt, bought on what he did five years ago when he had been in decline for five years."

The centre-half played the full match alongside Maguire and Leny Yoro, and, according to Sofascore, he made 11 clearances, one ground duel and recorded an 89 per cent passing accuracy after completing 59 out of 66 of his attempted passes. However, De Ligt also lost possession seven times and won only half of his attempted aerial duels (4/8). 

Still, the players are evidently struggling to get to grips with Amorim's newly implemented system, and he'll be hoping it's just a case of ironing out the flaws for the remainder of the term before starting afresh – with signings he's chosen – in 2025/2026.

Until then, the coach and his men are trying to oversee as respectable end of the term as possible – despite them being on course to oversee the club's lowest Premier League finish on record.

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