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<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>De Ligt signed to strengthen defence</li><li>Defender dropped to bench on Sunday</li><li>Sutton says he looks "clunky" on field</li></ul><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va2ivxLJJhzdzbJdwo0n"><strong>Follow GOAL on WhatsApp!</strong></a> 🟢📱</td></tr></tbody></table>

'In the gym too much' - Matthijs de Ligt branded 'clunky' after tough start at Man Utd that has already seen £43m defender dropped to bench

Premier League

Ipswich

<p>De Ligt <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/erik-ten-hag-man-utd-confirm-double-signing-matthijs-de-ligt-noussair-mazraoui/blt7d168169ca631949#cscb39978076fb2cad" target="_blank">joined United from Bayern Munich in a deal worth a reported £43 million ($55m) in August</a>, just three days before their first Premier League game of the new season. After starting four league games in a row, the Dutchman was dropped to the bench for Sunday's 0-0 draw against Aston Villa and <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/more-misery-man-utd-harry-maguire-confirms-huge-injury-blow-limping-out-aston-villa-draw/blt19c14237fd0983b7" target="_blank">replaced the injured Harry Maguire at half-time</a>.</p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>It was initially billed a significant coup after United landed De Ligt from Bayern, <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/bayern-munich-overruled-vincent-kompany-matthijs-de-ligt-camp-selling-man-utd/blt35d56c0b51da9037" target="_blank">with head coach Vincent Kompany reportedly reluctant to sell</a>. The Netherlands international has faced criticism already, however, with Paul Scholes insisting <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/dutch-maguire-matthijs-de-ligt-slammed-paul-scholes-upgrade-on-england-international/blt3c24cbca05c07935" target="_blank">he is not an upgrade on Maguire,</a> while former Chelsea striker Chris Sutton has suggested the 25-year-old is working out too much.</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>"[He's] been in the gym too much," he told <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-13936577/Chris-Sutton-clunky-Matthijs-Ligt-Man-United.html" target="_blank"><em>The Daily Mail</em></a>. "I mean, most people need to get in the gym. [But] when he was at Ajax and making his way and he came to the fore, not only was he strong, but he was agile, he was mobile. He just looks clunky, doesn't he?"</p>

WHAT SUTTON SAID

<p>With Maguire out for weeks, the former Ajax star will likely be back in the starting XI when the Red Devils come up against Brentford on October 19. United are currently 14th in the table with just eight points from seven matches, with De Ligt able to forget about that for now, at least, after joining up with the Netherlands for international duty.</p>

WHAT NEXT FOR DE LIGT?

'In the gym too much' - Matthijs de Ligt branded 'clunky' after tough start at Man Utd that has already seen £43m defender dropped to bench | Goal.com

Manchester United defender Matthijs de Ligt has been accused of spending &quot;too much time in the gym&quot;, making him look &quot;clunky&quot; on the field.

&apos;In the gym too much&apos; - Matthijs de Ligt branded &apos;clunky&apos; after tough start at Man Utd that has already seen £43m defender dropped to bench