Retired Premier League cult hero, 37, slams £42.7m Man Utd star and says he’s better despite being ’20kg overweight’
FORMER Premier League star David Wheater last night claimed that he’s better than Matthijs de Ligt, despite being “20kg overweight”.
De Ligt, 25, signed for Manchester United in a £60million summer double-deal alongside former Bayern Munich team-mate Noussair Mazraoui.
RexMatthijs de Ligt endured a difficult night in Portugal[/caption]
PA:Press AssociationDavid Wheater played more than 100 times in the Premier League[/caption]
The Dutchman was in action last night as the Red Devils drew 3-3 with Porto in the Europa League.
Erik ten Hag‘s side surrendered a 2-0 lead to trail 3-2, with De Ligt particularly culpable for two of the three goals.
The former Juventus and Bayern ace was replaced alongside defensive partner Lisandro Martinez in the 79th minute, with Jonny Evans and Harry Maguire coming on.
It was the latter who salvaged a point for United with a late header, after Bruno Fernandes had been sent off for the second time in a week.
Watching on at home, Wheater was unimpressed with De Ligt’s display.
The former Middlesbrough and Bolton man, 37, wrote on X: “I’m better than de ligt at this very moment and Im 20kg overweight and a dodgy ankle.”
One fan brutally responded: “I watched you play at Hyde United 2 years ago mate you was horrific then so can’t imagine how bad you are now.”
But Wheater hit back, with a smiling emoji: “That’s a lie, I was quality till I pulled my quad.”
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AlamyWheater, now 37, dropped down the leagues towards the end of his career[/caption]
Another of his followers joked: “You were 20kg overweight in your prime, Wheats.”
To which Wheater replied: “Didn’t have to move cos I was always in the right position.”
Another United fan joked: “Give you £150k a week if you fancy signing pal.”
And a Trotters fan chimed in: “Bolton legend.”
Having come through Boro’s academy, Wheater went on to make 105 Premier League appearances in his career.
He also earned 11 England Under-21 caps, and played more than 200 times in the Championship.
Wheater most recently played for Darlington during the 2022-23 season, a club he had spent time with on loan in 2007.
Following an injury-plagued spell, he announced his retirement in September last year.
Man Utd ratings vs Porto
MAN UTD ended up with a 3-3 draw after throwing away a 2-0 lead away to Porto.
Here’s how SunSport’s Dylan Terry rated the Red Devils’ stars performances in Portugal
Andre Onana – 6/10
Reacted brilliantly the first time he was called into action with a flying save, only for Porto to score the rebound.
Porto then scored with their next shot on target too – Omorodion’s header – and Onana could do little about the excellent finish for Porto’s third.
Made two great stops to keep Man Utd in the game.
Noussair Mazraoui – 4
Looked fairly stable in the first 45 minutes but waned as the game went on.
All at sea at the start of the second half as Porto cut through the right-hand side of Man Utd’s defence with ease.
Matthijs de Ligt – 4
Looked imposing in the air as he dealt with Porto’s crosses from both sides, but then failed to get in front of Omorodion for the hosts’ second goal.
Like most of the Man Utd side, his performance dropped as the game went on and he was bullied by Porto’s No9.
Lisandro Martinez – 4
Should have reacted quicker for the first Porto goal as Pepe got ahead of him to nod into an empty net – with Martinez static on the six-yard box.
There is clearly not much of a partnership with De Ligt as Porto pulled them apart all evening.
Diogo Dalot – 4
Porto enjoyed a lot of success down Man Utd’s left-hand side and Dalot looked all at sea on several occasions.
Had little help from Martinez but still looked exposed.
Casemiro – 3
Anonymous yet again in Man Utd’s midfield – the ball just passes him by.
Could not even manage one of his customary fouls.
Christian Eriksen – 5
Looked leggy out of possession but produced an impressive run before laying it off to Hojlund for Man Utd’s second goal.
Then failed to make much more of an impact and his delivery from wide areas left a lot to be desired.
Bruno Fernandes – 4
A damning indictment of Man Utd’s current predicament as Fernandes was shown a red card for a second successive game.
Two high boots, two yellow cards, and another early bath for the Portuguese playmaker – who had worked tirelessly prior to his dismissal.
Amad Diallo – 5
Very quiet aside from one burst through the middle as Rashford received all of the ball over the other side.
Replaced by Antony who arguably created even less.
Rasmus Hojlund – 7
Made his case for starting ahead of Joshua Zirkzee with a goal, firing beyond Costa at the near post.
Held it up and then showed his strength and pace to run at Porto before the break – showing little rustiness in his first start of the season.
Marcus Rashford – 8
Rashford showed his directness for the opening goal, driving at the Porto back line and forcing the error from Costa.
A constant threat in the first half as he assisted Hojlund’s strike.
But he was then surprisingly hooked at the break, a decision that will need an explanation from Ten Hag.
See how the Man Utd subs rated here
Man Utd, meanwhile, will return to action this Sunday with a tricky trip to Aston Villa.
Following last night’s chaotic draw, under-fire Ten Hag told TNT Sports: “We started the game very good, dominated. We scored two goals but then lost control.
“The start was good, the middle part was not good, and then the end was very good.
“We come back after 3-2. The team is willing, strong character. The middle part was not good.
“We need to be better on the ball and keep switching. In the half-spaces we had players, so use them.
“We had three clean sheets not long ago so we can defend very good but we have to go back to those habits. Only then can you win games.”
RexErik ten Hag assessed his side’s performance[/caption]
