Matthijs de Ligt (foto: Getty Images)
Matthijs de Ligt's recovery has taken another setback, with Manchester United now expecting the Dutch defender to remain out until autumn after back surgery.
Spremljajte Nogomanio kot prednostni vir na Googlu
Dodajte Nogomanio med priljubjene vire v Google News in
prejemajte najpomembnejše nogometne novice med prvimi.
Manchester United are facing a much longer wait for the return of Matthijs de Ligt than anyone at the club first expected. What was initially described as a minor injury has developed into an eight-month absence, and the Dutch international is now unlikely to return before the autumn.
The 26-year-old centre back had been an ever-present in Manchester United's league campaign last season, playing every minute until he suffered a back injury during a match against Crystal Palace in November.
At the time, then manager Ruben Amorim played down the issue and suggested De Ligt would quickly return for the next league fixture against Wolverhampton Wanderers. Instead, the injury proved far more serious than first believed.
De Ligt has not featured in a competitive match since. He missed the remainder of last season, has yet to play under new manager Michael Carrick, and was also forced to sit out the 2026 FIFA World Cup with the Netherlands.
Manchester United recently confirmed that the defender had undergone successful back surgery.
"Matthijs de Ligt has successfully undergone surgery for a back injury. After a thorough rehabilitation process, we assessed that surgery was the best solution. He is now beginning a new phase of his recovery, and we expect him to rejoin the squad during the early part of the 2026/27 season," the club said in an official statement.
However, the latest reports suggest the timeline has slipped again. According to respected journalist Andy Mitten, De Ligt is now expected to return sometime between September and November, meaning he will miss the opening months of the new campaign.
The delay creates another selection headache for Michael Carrick, who wants a fully competitive squad as United prepare for both the Premier League and the Champions League.
There is at least one positive update for the club. Lisandro Martínez, who was forced off during the World Cup final, is not believed to have suffered a serious injury, and Manchester United remain confident the Argentine defender will be available for the start of the new season.