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By James Cohen Published: 18: 48 AEST, 3 September 2024 | Updated: 18: 53 AEST, 3 September 2024 22 View comments A former Man United coach has insisted that Matthijs de Ligt will succeed at the club after his £38. 5million summer move. The Dutch centre-back joined the Red Devils last month from Bayern Munich in a move that also saw full-back Noussair Mazraoui join the club for a combined £60m. He's appeared in all three of United's Premier League matches thus far and made his first start as they fell to a 3-0 defeat to rivals Liverpool on Sunday afternoon. Despite the thumping in his first start, there are high hopes for the 25-year-old and one former Red Devils coach has insisted he will come good for the club. Ex-United coach Rene Meulensteen, who worked as Sir Alex Ferguson's assistant, reflected on De Ligt's nature and compared him to Red Devils flop Donny van de Beek. A former Man United coach has backed Matthijs de Ligt to succeed at the Red Devils Former United assistant Rene Meulensteen (left) offered his thoughts on the defender Speaking to The Sun, Meulensteen said: 'Matthijs is a whole different person, different position, personality. 'When Matthijs came through with Ajax he was young, and they made him captain quite quickly. He was a strong influence on the back, strong defender, powerful, not afraid to go forward. 'I was always a massive fan of Matthijs de Ligt, and it wasn't surprising to me that a big club would pick him up. Juventus did, but then it was interesting to see that eventually he led his career to Bayern Munich. 'I think he's equipped for the Premier League football, because of his physique and he's a young player with experience in Champions League. 'It's going to be interesting run of developments in the upcoming games whether Ten Hag is going to go for a partnership with De Ligt and [Lisandro] Martinez which means [Harry] Maguire is falling by the wayside again. ' While this summer saw De Ligt join the club, it also saw former Ajax star Van De Beek leave and join Spanish side Girona after four years at Old Trafford. Offering his opinion on Van De Beek's exit, he said: 'A combination of things, because Donny became a bit of a victim of the fact that he plays in similar areas as Bruno and its very similar situation to Mason Mount when he was trying to find his feet. De Ligt played 69 minutes of United's 3-0 defeat to rivals Liverpool on Sunday afternoon Meulensteen also offered his opinion on Donny van de Beek's struggles with the Red Devils 'Bruno has shown his worth and importance to Manchester United, so he's not going to move away. And he's a better player for the Premier League and Manchester United than Donny van de Beek. 'Donny is a solid player, but in Manchester United you need difference makers. ' De Ligt, who took the No4 shirt, said on the move: 'As soon as I heard that Manchester United wanted me, I felt an excitement about the opportunity for a new challenge at such a historic club. 'In the conversations that followed, I was impressed by the vision that the football leadership set out, and the role they saw for me in it. 'Erik ten Hag shaped the early stages of my career, so he knows how to get the best out of me and I cannot wait to work with him again, ' the Dutch international added. Published by Associated Newspapers Ltd Part of the Daily Mail, The Mail on Sunday & Metro Media Group