Manchester United center back De Ligt accepted an exclusive interview with The Telegraph. This is the first time De Ligt has accepted an exclusive interview with a major media since joining Manchester United.

When you were seven years old, one of the first jerseys you owned was a Cristiano Ronaldo Manchester United jersey.

De Ligt: "That was the era when Cristiano Ronaldo became a superstar, and the whole world knew him during the Manchester United period. Van der Sar was also at Manchester United at that time, and they often played in the Champions League finals. Children will naturally pay attention to the Champions League finals, and there are Manchester United and Cristiano Ronaldo there. So I have always been a loyal fan of Cristiano Ronaldo, and therefore became a Manchester United fan.

"They tried to sign me before, but maybe the timing was not right, or there were other more suitable options at the time. But in the end maybe it was fate that brought me here...it's every player's dream to play for Manchester United. "

After leaving Ajax, Dericht joined Juventus, became teammates with Cristiano Ronaldo, and later moved to Bayern.

Dericht: "I am very lucky to play for the four largest clubs in the world. The clubs I play for all have a lot of history behind them. These four teams are all at the top of the Champions League's all-time standings. When a club has a great history, they expect you to deserve it. This kind of pressure is far greater than playing for a team with a shallow history and the need to create history together.

"You can feel the pressure. In the stadium, you can feel the nostalgia. But I love this feeling... I have never played for a club that does not ask to win."

Manchester United will face Liverpool away from home in this round of the Premier League.

De Ligt: "We are not yet in the ideal state. "We know the importance of this game, walking on the street yesterday, several people said to me, 'Hey, Sunday is the highlight! ' You can feel the atmosphere here. But beyond that, we also know that getting results is important because the team is improving, but we must continue to win."

Manchester United is really improving. Manchester United took more shots, topped the Premier League in expected goals, and created significantly fewer opportunities for opponents.

De Ligt: "That's true. But in the final analysis, winning is the foundation. Data doesn't count, statistics don't count. But when you fail to win, but see that the team still creates a lot of opportunities, but the final kick is not good, this kind of performance can indeed It brings confidence and proves that we are actually playing well. This makes us believe that we can win many games."

Your personal data is also eye-catching: in core indicators such as success in aerial battles, success in confrontations, and steals, you are among the top five central defenders in the Premier League.

De Ligt: "I am very satisfied with the data, and I hope that the good data can be converted into victory. Whether it is mental or physical condition, I feel very, very good. Now 26 years old, I have played professional football for nearly ten years and accumulated a lot of... How to say, heavy experience. I really feel that I am entering the golden period and reaching the peak of form.

"Usually the peak period of a central defender is around 30 to 31 years old. I feel like I'm getting closer to that stage, both physically and mentally. It's very interesting, especially playing in the best league in the world and being able to test yourself against the best players. I feel like my real peak is coming.

"I was born with a strong body, and even when I was 19, my body shape was similar to what it is now. The only difference is: when I was 19, I played purely by intuition, and the results were good; but after moving to Serie A, more emphasis was placed on tactical thinking. I struggled very much in the early days because intuition and thinking were often difficult to synchronize.

"I had to learn to use my mind while maintaining my intuition. Now I feel like I combine all the qualities of Eredivisie - which emphasizes backcourt organization and courage, Serie A - which emphasizes tactical intelligence and technique, and Bundesliga - which emphasizes physical confrontation and sprinting. Now I can combine these experiences and become the player Manchester United needs, hoping to contribute to the team in all aspects.

"I can also feel the trust of the coach, teammates and the club in me, which makes everything easier. Last season was difficult for everyone, and the rhythm of the league was completely different from what I had experienced. I found the state to play well from January to March, but unfortunately got injured. Now I am very happy to be healthy and maintain full attendance in the league this season, which feels quite good."

Do you agree with the view that "the Dutch and the Portuguese are equally outspoken"?

De Ligt: "The Dutch are indeed very direct. As for the Portuguese? I think so too. Because of this directness, I communicate well with Amorim. Sincerity is the most important, and criticism based on sincerity can be accepted even if it is harsh. This is the only way for the team to maintain clear communication."

Amorim insisted De Ligt uses and refuses to change the 3-4-2-1 formation.

De Ligt: "The team is improving. Even if a four-back formation is set up in modern football, most teams are actually organized with a three-back structure. And we often change to a four-back structure when we defend.

" It is always easy to discuss formations, but in actual combat the formation needs to be flexibly adjusted. No game plays out exactly the same way. We must find a balance between this flexibility and framework to allow the tactical system to operate smoothly. "

Is the outside world focusing too much on Amorim?

De Ligt: "I'm not sure, I didn't pay attention to the comments about the coach. But I think every player and staff feels the pressure. "

Do you deliberately avoid social media information?

De Ligt: "I know some players claim that they never watch these, but I am not such a person. I would watch the content and sometimes be criticized and sometimes be praised. As a football player, it is difficult to completely escape the environment of the social media era, and it is inevitable that you will be involved in it.

"I have tried not to watch, but I feel that I have lost part of the fun of football. I love this sport and I also like to watch the game. If I completely close myself off, I will feel dissatisfied.

"Football is essentially happy, which is our original intention to join this sport.. But obviously there needs to be a balance: every player and every fan loves the club deeply, but it is also a business and you have to win, especially in a giant like Manchester United, where winning is a necessity.

"The happier you play, the better your condition, the greater the probability of winning. This is my philosophy, but everything must ultimately be oriented towards victory."

What is the DNA of Manchester United?

De Ligt: "The uniqueness of Manchester United lies in its connection with the fans and its fast football style. This is the fusion of traditional English football and modern football. We must adhere to the characteristics of Manchester United, but also pursue fast attack, counterattack rhythm, and threat in the penalty area. You know, the kind of head-on confrontation and tackle, this is the DNA of Manchester United in my perception."

Manchester United is currently ranked 10th. The victory over Sunderland before the international break was not only timely, but also convinced the whole team that they could catch up instead of worrying about relegation, which made the double red club even more critical.

De Ligt: "The current Premier League points are very close, and the gap between each team is very small. As the level of opponents improves, all teams feel more and more difficult. Each team has a deep lineup, especially offensive threats and game deciders, which is the biggest difference.

"If we can perform at our best level every game, we can achieve great things. While it is impossible to predict the exact height at this stage, it is clear that we are somewhere between the Champions League qualification zone and last season's 15th place. The team's goal is of course to hit the Champions League berth. "

Recently, he was unexpectedly dropped from the Dutch team's World Cup qualifying squad. Coach Koeman said it was a difficult decision.

De Ligt: "When you lose the team after playing for the national team for nearly ten years, disappointment is always inevitable. I think it's important to keep things as they are. I feel good at the moment and staying healthy is the key. As long as I continue to perform, the manager will always notice and hopefully he will call me back.

"Does it make me more motivated? I would say that international qualification is an extension of the performance of the club, not the other way around. So my focus is always on Manchester United."

You have won league titles in three different countries.

De Ligt: "When you reached your peak at Ajax at the age of 19, won the Golden Boy Award, the Copa Award, and was selected into the UEFA Team of the Year, people always think that you will keep rising. Sometimes it also needs the right timing, just like the pieces of a puzzle need to fall into place. Ajax period That's it. Later, in the three years at Juventus, I played full attendance and won one championship as long as I was healthy; I also stayed full attendance and won the championship when I was healthy; at Manchester United, I have played every time as long as my body allows.

"Some people may think that I have not lived up to everyone's expectations at the age of 19. But throughout my career, I've been an important part of the team wherever I've been. I'm content with that. Now that he is 26 years old, he is in his golden age. He hopes to continue his form and give his best to the team he plays for, whether it is Manchester United or the national team. "

Being famous at a young age and taking on important responsibilities in a wealthy family also means maturing earlier.

De Ligt: "I have to grow up, which is sometimes difficult to understand. When you're 19 and playing with instinct at Ajax, you're still a young player and you have room to make mistakes. But after transferring to a giant like Juventus with high expectations for 75 million euros, it was all over - you can't make mistakes.

"This naturally creates more anxiety. To be honest, it is not easy for young players to face this kind of pressure. It is easy for outsiders to comment that 'so-and-so has not lived up to expectations,' but don't forget that players are also human beings. I am very satisfied with the growth trajectory so far, and I am even more looking forward to the next few years, because I feel that I am in the best condition."

From what you said, it seems that leadership and captaincy come naturally to you.

De Ligt: "I prefer to lead by example, set an example for my teammates and young people, and remain 100% committed both inside and outside training. At the same time, I respect others and strive to be an excellent ambassador for the club. This is very important. I just stay true to myself. It is difficult to analyze myself. As the saying goes, 'what is on the outside is the same'."