Crystal Palace striker Mateta reveals the one Manchester United player who really gave him a tough time yesterday

The Premier League is known for its fierce duels, elite attackers, and defenders who thrive on physical battles. Yet every now and then, a striker meets an opponent who leaves such a deep impression that he can’t help but speak about the ordeal he just survived on the pitch.

That was exactly what happened after Crystal Palace’s showdown with Manchester United. Jean-Philippe Mateta walked off the pitch looking completely spent, and minutes later he gave a post-match interview that instantly spread across social media.

According to Mateta, the entire match felt like a struggle for air, strength, and space because of one man — Matthijs de Ligt. And to remove any doubt, he clarified that neither Diogo Dalot nor Leny Yoro had anything to do with his struggles. It was the Dutch centre-back who shut him out entirely.

Trying to process the game, Mateta repeatedly shook his head as he described the exhausting physical battles.

“For the whole 90 minutes, I couldn’t breathe because of him,” he said. “With all my strength, he still overpowered me. This is the toughest player I have faced this season.”

It was an unusually honest admission coming from a forward who is known for his size, aggression, and ability to bully defenders. But on this particular day, de Ligt won every battle — on the ground, in the air, and in the mind.

From the first whistle, de Ligt played like the defender many once regarded as Europe’s next great centre-back. Under Rúben Amorim, he looks like he’s rediscovering the aura he had at Ajax, the same aura that earned him high-profile moves to Juventus and Bayern Munich.

Mateta found himself losing physical challenges he usually wins. Crystal Palace tried isolating him against de Ligt to exploit supposed weaknesses, but the Dutchman read every pass and cut off every channel before danger could develop. Even when Palace pressed aggressively, de Ligt stayed composed, picking smart passes instead of clearing the ball in panic.

Alongside Leny Yoro, de Ligt acted like the general at the back — talking constantly, keeping the defensive line organised, and stepping in at the exact right moments. Mateta wasn’t just outplayed; he was completely neutralised.

Coming from a striker who has faced some top defenders this season, Mateta’s praise carries weight. He has encountered fast defenders, aggressive duelists, and players who are tactically sharp — but none made the match feel as suffocating as de Ligt. His comments highlight just how impressive the Dutchman was and underline his growing importance as Manchester United rebuild under Amorim.

Since Amorim’s arrival, restoring defensive structure has been a priority. Yoro may be the future, but insiders around the club insist de Ligt is just as central to Amorim’s vision. He now looks stronger, sharper, and more decisive — far closer to the phenomenal teenager the world once admired.

Crystal Palace tried various adjustments to free Mateta, switching play and attempting to drag de Ligt out of position, but nothing worked. Every run Mateta made was matched. Every attempt to hold the ball was met with force. Every moment he tried to gain an inch, de Ligt was already there.

Fans quickly reacted online, calling it one of de Ligt’s best performances in a United shirt. Some described it as a “defensive masterclass,” while others went as far as comparing his display to the legendary days of Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidić — high praise that reflects just how dominant he was.

In the end, Mateta’s confession wasn’t just respect — it was recognition of how thoroughly he had been controlled. De Ligt didn’t simply defend; he dictated the entire duel, leaving a powerful forward with no answers.

Dalot didn’t cause the damage.

Yoro didn’t cause the damage.

It was Matthijs de Ligt — and for the full 90 minutes, he made a Premier League striker feel completely powerless.

For Manchester United, it was a statement. For Amorim, it was proof that his defensive blueprint is working. And for the rest of the league, it was a loud reminder that de Ligt is climbing back toward his very best.