'I'm not afraid' - Erik ten Hag launches passionate defence of new Manchester United signing

Erik ten Hag has no concerns that Matthijs de Ligt will carry his nightmare week on international duty into his Manchester United form and backed his new centre-back to use his "personality and character" to overcome the criticism.

De Ligt made his first start for United since a £38.5million transfer in the defeat to Liverpool, but the former Juventus and Bayern Munich defender then suffered two demoralising outings for the Netherlands in their Nations League fixtures.

The 25-year-old was blamed for goals conceded against Bosnia and Germany and he was taken off at half-time in the second game and replaced by Brighton's Jan Paul van Hecke, with Ronald Koeman saying he had "protected" De Ligt by withdrawing him.

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"Of course, I would rather have kept Matthijs on the pitch," Koeman said after the 2-2 draw with Germany.

"It just looks like he is now in a period where all his mistakes are being punished. I gave him a new chance today, but eventually protected him by taking him off."

De Ligt returned to Carrington on Wednesday ready to add to the two appearances he has made so far for his new club and a day later Ten Hag launched a strong defence of the man he made captain of Ajax as a teenager.

Ten Hag played a key role in De Ligt's development in Amsterdam but moves to Juventus and Bayern in the past five years haven't quite worked out. Despite his struggles in the past week, Ten Hag is convinced the central defender will prove his quality at Old Trafford.

"I think he said it in reference to Dutch squad, not a club situation," Ten Hag said of Koeman's comments.

"I