
Matthijs De Ligt
26-Year-Old
Manchester United
Premier
OUT
Injury Back
Est. Return 5/9/2026
Spotted running on grass
De Ligt (back) was spotted running on the grass in soccer boots alongside the physio, marking an encouraging step forward in his recovery from the injury that has sidelined him since November, the club posted.
ANALYSIS
De Ligt had only recently been confirmed as still not on the grass at all, making his progression to outdoor running a meaningful development in what has been an extraordinarily lengthy absence. The Dutchman is still working individually rather than with the group, but getting back outside in boots is a significant milestone that points toward a return in the coming weeks. Leny Yoro, Lisandro Martinez and Harry Maguire have been covering at center-back during his prolonged spell on the sidelines, and Manchester United will be hoping to have De Ligt back in the fold before the season concludes.
De Ligt had only recently been confirmed as still not on the grass at all, making his progression to outdoor running a meaningful development in what has been an extraordinarily lengthy absence. The Dutchman is still working individually rather than with the group, but getting back outside in boots is a significant milestone that points toward a return in the coming weeks. Leny Yoro, Lisandro Martinez and Harry Maguire have been covering at center-back during his prolonged spell on the sidelines, and Manchester United will be hoping to have De Ligt back in the fold before the season concludes.
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Still not training on grass
De Ligt (back) remains in rehabilitation and is not yet training on grass, leaving him several weeks away from a return, according to coach Michael Carrick. "Treatment and rehab. The reason he didn't come [to Ireland] is he's not quite on the grass. Patrick came back because he's further on, but Matta isn't quite at this stage yet. So it was important for him to continue his rehab, really, and try and get him back. There's nothing else around it."
ANALYSIS
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Not training yet
De Ligt (back) is still absent from the team's work during their training camp in Dublin.
ANALYSIS
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Working on comeback
De Ligt (back) is working on his comeback and is still at least a few weeks away from returning, according to manager Mickael Carrick. "He's obviously trying to work to get back, but it's just the back issue, really, that's proving difficult. We'll keep working as hard as we can to get him back as quickly as we can."
ANALYSIS
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Recovering slow, still a bit behind
De Ligt (back) is still working toward a return and will likely not be ready for another few weeks to a month, according to manager Michael Carrick. "Matthijs, he's had a back issue which has been slower to progress. It's something we've been working through, and he's getting there. He's in the right direction, but just further behind. It's part of football, unfortunately, so we'll get him back when we can. It's just the nature of the issue, really. It's a difficult one to pin down a timeline. He's definitely improving, so we're just working towards that really. I can't give you more at this stage."
ANALYSIS
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Still progressing
De Ligt (back) is out for Monday's match against Everton and is likely out another game as well, according to manager Michael Carrick. "Matta, a little bit working towards it, but as I said last week, he's a little bit behind Mason, really, so we're just trying to work with him, to progress him, to get him a bit closer."
ANALYSIS
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Latest Fantasy Rumors
Man United seal move?
Manchester United are close to completing a move for De Ligt, according to Sky Sports Germany.
ANALYSIS
Manchester United could end up signing two players from Bayern Munich at once, as they're also quite close to completing a deal for Noussair Mazraoui, a former Ajax player who thrived under manager Erik ten Hag in the Eredivisie giant. De Ligt would be an excellent addition to the team's defensive line.
Manchester United could end up signing two players from Bayern Munich at once, as they're also quite close to completing a deal for Noussair Mazraoui, a former Ajax player who thrived under manager Erik ten Hag in the Eredivisie giant. De Ligt would be an excellent addition to the team's defensive line.





