'We looked each other in the eye' - Matthijs de Ligt reveals Man Utd dressing room's honest reaction to Grimsby defeat

United got off to a miserable start to the 2025-26 campaign after finishing 15th in the Premier League last season. They started the new Premier League season with a loss to Arsenal before playing out a 1-1 draw against Fulham. Things went from bad to worse earlier this week when they lost to fourth-tier English club Grimsby Town 12-11 on penalties and crashed out of the Carabao Cup.

After the humiliating loss, questions were raised about the team's quality and doubts were cast on manager Ruben Amorim's future at Old Trafford. United defender, De Ligt, however, came to the coach's defence as he revealed the exact dressing room conversation after the loss at Grimsby.

Speaking to reporters, the Dutch defender showed full faith in Amorim as he said: "Yeah, of course. I mean, as a player you are responsible for the results. They (outside the club) always speak about the manager, obviously, but I think as players we also looked each other in the eye after Grimsby and said to each other, 'guys, the performance of this week is not acceptable'. It will be really, I think, bad to say that it’s the manager’s fault. It's mostly us and we know that.

"So yeah, obviously we still stand behind him, and he stands behind us, so we keep going like that. I think the result for today makes that feeling even more. I don't think there's been much said (among the players) because everybody knows how the feeling was. I think everybody from outside could also understand what the feeling is if you lose a game like that."

De Ligt added: "So, yeah, it's not easy. We know that. We were really disappointed, in ourselves especially, so then to win today was I think the only cure that could a little bit help the defeat of Wednesday. I find it quite good (playing under Amorim). I feel good, I feel physically good."

United somewhat redeemed themselves on Saturday as they registered their maiden win of the season, narrowly edging out Burnley 3-2 in the Premier League. They will be back in action after the international break on September 14 when they face rivals Manchester City.