Matthijs De Ligt
26-Year-Old
Manchester United
Premier
OUT
Injury Back
Est. Return 4/13/2026
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
De Ligt is still not nearing a return as his back issue takes a bit longer to heal, still yet to see any type of training. This will likely leave a return for the defender a good few weeks to a month away, just hoping to have him fit for a decent chunk of the end of the season. He has yet to play since Nov. 30, a brutal loss of play for the defender and club.
De Ligt is still not nearing a return as his back issue takes a bit longer to heal, still yet to see any type of training. This will likely leave a return for the defender a good few weeks to a month away, just hoping to have him fit for a decent chunk of the end of the season. He has yet to play since Nov. 30, a brutal loss of play for the defender and club.
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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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Trending towards being an option
De Ligt (back) is still working back from injury and could be an option to face Everton on Feb. 23, according to manager Michael Carrick. Matta, we'll see how he develops over the, you know... the Everton game feels like a long time away at the moment, so we'll see how he develops, but he's positive, he's moving in the right direction, but Mason's a little bit closer than him."
ANALYSIS
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Inching closer to return
De Ligt (back) is inching closer to a return but won't be an option to face Tottenham on Saturday, manager Michael Carrick told media during Thursday's press conference. "Matta [De Ligt], he's working his way back, taking good steps and improving. It's a little bit too soon at the moment but, hopefully, it won't be too long [before De Ligt is back]."
ANALYSIS
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No timetable to return
De Ligt (back) won't play against Arsenal on Sunday and doesn't have an exact timeline for a return, manager Michael Carrick told media Friday. "I think it was just a little bit slower than initially hoped but he's certainly getting closer," Carrick said of De Ligt. "Hopefully, the next couple of weeks, without putting an exact timeline on it, he'll be back and it'll be great to have him back."
ANALYSIS
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Won't play in derby
De Ligt (back) won't be available for Saturday's derby against Manchester City, manager Michael Carrick told media Friday. "[Matthijs] de Ligt has been carrying a bit of an issue but, hopefully, we'll get him back in some time soon. It's been a little bit slower than what they thought previously."
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.