With Manchester United about to face Bournemouth in a crucial game, team defender Derek De Ligt has revealed in an exclusive interview with Manchester United Review that morale is high and the team is going through positive changes internally.
Dellihert began by referring to last week's Manchester City Derby win, lamenting, "That win was crucial for us and boosted our morale immensely. However, we also know that this is just one stop in a long line of battles and we have to keep pushing forward as every game is crucial. Given our position at the top of the table, we must not take it lightly."
United are currently 13th in the league, nine points adrift of the top three (taking into account the fact that they have played one less game), but de Ligt is confident about the team's future. He cited a statistic that United had not beaten a top six team on the road for a long time. This win not only brings three points, but also restores the team's confidence.
"This game has given us the belief that as Manchester United, we are capable of beating any opponent, including teams that appear to be stronger or developing faster." De Ligt said, "The win has created a belief within the team that 'we're starting to believe that what we're doing is working.' It's a very positive atmosphere."
In addition to the confidence boost from the win, de Ligt also emphasized the growth within the team. He believes that this is the most important aspect of the team at the moment. Despite the results of recent games, the team's improvement and understanding on the field is evident.
"The most important thing is that we are growing as a team." Said de Ligt, "You can feel the change and you can see the impact of it in the games. We're starting to understand the coach's tactical intentions better and we're starting to adapt to the system better. That's what's important: you always have to try to keep growing. If you win games without growing, then you won't be able to be the best version of yourself in the long run."
De Ligt also revealed that he is looking forward to making his comeback against Bournemouth to give back the faith and support the team has shown him. Despite missing the League Cup quarter-final against Tottenham Hotspur due to illness, he believes he is back to his best form.
Looking ahead, Delicht said, "In the first few weeks, our focus was on growth and bonding. Now we are starting to see the rewards of those efforts. Hopefully we can continue to build on this and get better results. Every game is a new challenge, but as long as we stay focused and united, I believe we can overcome anything."
