Matthijs de Ligt voiced his disappointment with Manchester United’s lackluster performance against Arsenal, candidly labeling the display as “not good enough.” Despite a resolute defensive effort in the first half, United ultimately succumbed to a disheartening 2-0 defeat, courtesy of goals from Jurrien Timber and William Saliba, both of which originated from set pieces.

De Ligt acknowledged that United’s defensive phase was satisfactory, excluding the set plays, but emphasized the imperative of improvement in the attacking department. He noted that the team requires a clearer understanding of each player’s role and responsibilities to effectively hurt opponents, a sentiment that underscored the need for cohesion and coordination on the pitch.

Although De Ligt recognized that United are still in the nascent stages of adapting to new coach Ruben Amorim’s system, he stressed the importance of securing results in the present. He expressed confidence in the team’s ability to improve, citing visible signs of progress, but underscored the imperative of meeting the lofty standards expected of Manchester United.

The defeat marked Amorim’s first loss in charge of United, who slipped back into the bottom half of the table. De Ligt and his teammates will seek to rebound against Nottingham Forest at Old Trafford on Saturday, a match that assumes added significance in the wake of this disheartening defeat.