Matthijs de Ligt Admits Manchester United Lacked Energy in Second Half Against Tottenham After Dramatic 2-2 Draw

Manchester United defender Matthijs de Ligt has opened up about the team’s performance in their 2-2 draw with Tottenham, admitting that fatigue and a lack of energy cost them a potential win in North London. Despite scoring a dramatic late equaliser to salvage a point, the Dutch centre-back insisted that the Red Devils must “look at” their second-half drop in intensity if they are to challenge consistently in the Premier League.

De Ligt Reflects on a Frustrating Draw

The match saw United take the lead in the 32nd minute through Bryan Mbeumo, who headed home from an Amad cross. Tottenham responded strongly after the break, with goalkeeper Senne Lammens pulling off two key saves to deny the hosts. However, the pressure eventually told as Mathys Tel equalised in the 84th minute, and Richarlison struck in stoppage time to make it 2-1 — only for de Ligt to rescue United with a composed finish in the dying seconds.

Speaking to MUTV after the match, de Ligt admitted to having mixed emotions. “I think it’s a little bit of mixed feelings,” he said. “I’m quite happy we scored to make it 2-2 in the last minute, but also a little disappointed because I felt we could have won this game.”

The Dutch defender pointed out that both of Tottenham’s goals came with a touch of fortune. “The way they scored two goals… quite lucky, basically with two deflections, which is always a shame. But in the end, 2-2 is better than losing, so I’m happy with that.”

“We Lacked Energy in the Second Half”

When asked about Manchester United’s overall display, de Ligt admitted that the team struggled to maintain their first-half intensity. “We did well in the first half — we were compact, aggressive, and made it difficult for them,” he said. “Then in the second half, it felt like we were lacking a little bit of energy. That’s something we have to look at because in the Premier League, you get punished for that.”

De Ligt’s comments highlight an ongoing issue with Manchester United’s performances this season — inconsistency across halves. “The last 15 minutes it felt like we were really tired and they kept on coming,” he added. “At some point, you know if they keep coming into the box, it will be dangerous. That happened, but fair play to the team for coming back and drawing 2-2.”

His late equaliser — a powerful effort following a corner — was his first league goal for United this season and provided a much-needed boost after a tense second half. “I’m happy to contribute to the team with the goal,” de Ligt said. “At least we got a draw today.”

Amorim Praises De Ligt’s Leadership and Composure

Matthijs de Ligt Admits Manchester United Lacked Energy in Second Half Against Tottenham After Dramatic 2-2 Draw

Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim also addressed de Ligt’s performance in his post-match press conference. Although the Dutchman is not part of the club’s formal leadership group, Amorim praised him for leading by example on the pitch.

“We choose different styles of leadership in the group,” Amorim explained. “Sometimes there are players who lead in the way they play, then there are others who are more involved in everything that happens at Carrington. Matthijs is doing really well — aggressive, defending strongly, and improving every week.”

The Portuguese coach believes de Ligt’s calmness in possession will become a key part of United’s game. “I think he has more quality with the ball than he’s showing right now,” Amorim said. “He’s being cautious, which is smart, but as we grow, our three centre-backs will control the tempo and the quality of the game.”

The Bigger Picture

The 2-2 result leaves Manchester United still chasing consistency under Amorim. While the team showed resilience to snatch a late draw, their inability to sustain energy levels for the full 90 minutes remains a concern. For de Ligt, the message is clear — improvement must come not just in moments of brilliance, but across entire matches.

As the season progresses, the Dutch defender’s leadership and composure could prove vital to United’s ambitions. His honest reflection on the team’s shortcomings may serve as a wake-up call for a squad looking to climb back into the Premier League’s elite.