De Ligt has explained that Christian Eriksen, who also came through Ajax’s ranks, was among the players he admired in his youth. Eriksen, a Danish midfielder, established himself at Ajax early in his career, eventually moving to Tottenham in 2013 amid interest from Manchester United. De Ligt noted that Eriksen played in a position he also wore during his youth days, making Eriksen a notable example he watched closely as he developed as a midfielder before becoming a defender.
In a conversation about his influences, De Ligt said he identified with Eriksen’s trajectory and was impressed by how far Eriksen had progressed in the game. He also mentioned Cristiano Ronaldo as another major idol from his youth, adding that he had the privilege of sharing the pitch with Eriksen during his time at Manchester United.
De Ligt joined Manchester United from Bayern Munich in 2024 and shared the field with Eriksen during the Dane’s final season at the club. Eriksen later departed United in 2025, signing with Wolfsburg on a free transfer. De Ligt stated that playing alongside Eriksen and Ronaldo contributed to his understanding of the game and reinforced the influence these players had on his development.
