Karma is a b****: De Ligt sends a message to Virgil van Dijk

Carlo Garganese

• Updated: 15 Sept 2024 10:08 BST
• 3 min read

Matthijs de Ligt had the last laugh over Virgil van Dijk on Saturday after the Liverpool star had publicly criticised him earlier in the week.

De Ligt had a disastrous international break for the Netherlands, making costly errors in the matches against Bosnia and Germany.

In the latter match in the Nations League, De Ligt was hauled off at half time.

After the game Van Dijk criticised De Ligt’s error that led to Germany’s equaliser.

"You have to learn from this. It was one moment but at the highest level you will get punished for it,” Van Dijk sniped.

It has long been reported that Van Dijk and De Ligt do not have a good relationship, with some reports that the Liverpool man demanded the Man Utd centre back did not play during Euro 2024.

But De Ligt had the last laugh on Saturday as he scored Man Utd’s opener with a fantastic header in the 3-0 victory at Southampton. He was named man-of-the-match by many spectators and pundits.

Van Dijk, meanwhile, struggled as Liverpool suffered a shock 1-0 defeat at home to Nottingham Forest.

This result ended Liverpool’s 100 per cent start to the season in the Premier League.

READ MORE: Man Utd issue Ten Hag sack date

Current ETV

Matthijs de Ligt

D (C)

Man Utd

Matthijs de Ligt

D (C)

Man Utd

€57M

ETV Range

€42.7M - €71.2M

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De Ligt’s move to Man Utd

De Ligt joined Man Utd this summer from Bayern Munich for an initial fee of €45 million, with a further €5m in potential add-ons.

The centre back struggled at his last two clubs at Bayern Munich and Juventus having been built up as a wonderkid when breaking out at Ajax under Erik ten Hag.

However, De Ligt has started well in his career at Old Trafford.

Despite United only winning two and losing two of their opening four matches, De Ligt has impressed in his performances.

Ten Hag admitted after the game that De Ligt had only suffered cramps amidst fears of an injury.