Overview
- Ronald Koeman omitted Matthijs de Ligt from the Netherlands squad for the October international window.
- De Ligt has been a regular starter for Manchester United this season, beginning every league match and earning praise for improved form.
- Koeman previously substituted De Ligt at half-time in the 2-2 draw with Germany in September 2024 after errors led to both goals.
- Virgil van Dijk publicly critiqued De Ligt's decision-making after that match, and Koeman defended the decision to withdraw him.
- With Virgil van Dijk, Micky van de Ven, Stefan de Vrij and Jan Paul van Hecke preferred, De Ligt will remain at Carrington to focus on club duties after urging United teammates to take responsibility following the Brentford defeat.