Matthijs de Ligt
MUN
CB
Controlled Centre Back
Aug 12, 1999 (27)
Right
6'2"
196 lb
Man UtdProgressing in recovery
De Ligt continues to make good progress in his recovery and has been training well, though Manchester United are still carefully managing the final stages of his return, according to coach Michael Carrick. "He's trained really well but we're still managing it, when you're out for such a long period of time, you get to the final stages, pushing and pushing, and you've got to manage that last stage."
Analysis: De Ligt is progressing well after his lengthy absence but still needs time to complete the final stages of his recovery before returning to competitive action. United are being cautious with the center-back's workload after his extended spell out, with manager Michael Carrick indicating that he remains on the right track. Lisandro Martinez and Leny Yoro are expected to form the central defensive partnership against Sabah on Thursday.
Continues comeback work
De Ligt (back) continues to work with the group as he builds toward a return following back surgery, according to coach Michael Carrick.
Analysis: De Ligt has been training with his teammates since United's camp in Ireland, but there is still no indication that he's ready for competitive action. Given the length of his absence and the nature of his back problem, United are likely to continue building up his fitness gradually before bringing him back into the matchday squad. Lisandro Martinez, Leny Yoro, Harry Maguire and Ayden Heaven remain the available options in central defense in the meantime.
Involved in training
De Ligt (back) remains out but manager Michael Carrick highlighted his return to training in Thursday's press conference before Saturday's EPL opener against Hull City. "Matta's obviously been out for a long period of time, but he's training and it's great to have him back. He won't be involved, but he's in good shape and moving in a good direction, so that's a good bonus for us really, at this stage, to have him back."
Analysis: De Ligt barely played in the 2025/26 season due to a nagging back injury, and while the center-back is not ready to feature yet, he seems to be trending in the right direction. De Ligt could be ready to return around the September international break, with Lisandro Martinez, Leny Yoro, Harry Maguire and Ayden Heaven all being options to provide cover at center-back while the Dutchman remains sidelined.
Takes part in training session
De Ligt (back) was involved in Tuesday's session with Manchester United's squad at Carrington, according to the club.
Analysis: De Ligt's participation comes after a back issue had limited him to individual work in recent weeks, following a spell where he managed just 15 minutes with the group before continuing on his own. His recovery has reportedly progressed well, with hopes of a return to competitive action around October still in play. De Ligt is expected to compete for a starting role at center back alongside Harry Maguire and Lenny Yoro once he's back to full fitness. Today's session marks another step in that direction as United monitor his progress closely.
Starts to individually train
De Ligt (back) has started to train individually after doing the first 15 minutes of a session with his teammates, according to his club.
Analysis: De Ligt traveled with a few other United players to County Kildare as they continue offseason preparations. He would then join the team for 15 minutes of training before going off by himself, starting to work on the training pitches again, even if it is only individually. The bright news is that his recovery is going well, hopeful to return to action sometime near October.
Undergoes back surgery
De Ligt (back) has undergone surgery on his back and is expected to return in the "early stages of the 2026/27 season," according to the player, per Tyrone Marshall of the Manchester Evening News. "Since November, I have done everything, pushing myself in every session and exploring every option, to get back to doing what I love, playing football. I am grateful to everyone who has supported me throughout a difficult period in my career. I remain as determined as ever to represent Manchester United and play in front of our incredible supporters as soon as possible."
Analysis: De Ligt has had a rough season due to injury and will put an end to it by receiving further work, with the defender getting surgery on his long-standing back injury. This will push the defender out into next season, not set to return until early in the season, likely around September or October. The hope will be that this operation puts the issues behind him as he tries to finish a season without injury, only an option for 13 appearances this season due to the brutally long absence.
Remains out
De Ligt (back) is set to remain unavailable for the upcoming fixture, according to coach Michael Carrick.
Analysis: De Ligt's continued absence leaves Manchester United short of defensive options heading into the final stretch of the season. Lisandro Martinez is available again after suspension, which provides some relief at center-back, though the Dutch defender's unavailability means coach Michael Carrick will need to continue managing his defensive resources carefully. No return timeline has been provided, leaving his availability for the remaining fixtures uncertain.
Still not ready
De Ligt (back) is not an option and remains a way from a return, according to manager Michael Carrick. "Matta is still a little bit further [off] and not involved in the game."
Analysis: De Ligt has been starting to train some by returning to running on grass, but remains away from the team, still needing more time to train. This leaves him with only three more games to return this campaign, leaving him as a close call to make the field again this season. More importantly for the defender, he is likely trying to be fit in time for the World Cup and not risk further injury.
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.
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: De Ligt has been sidelined since November with a back injury and his absence from the Dublin training camp is a clear indication that his return is still some way off. The Dutchman's prolonged absence has left Leny Yoro, Lisandro Martinez and Harry Maguire as United's main center-back options, and with Martinez himself only just returning from injury, coach Mickael Carrick will be hoping De Ligt can get back on the grass soon to bolster a defensive unit that has been stretched for much of the campaign.
Not training yet
De Ligt (back) is still absent from the team's work during their training camp in Dublin.
Analysis: De Ligt is struggling to completely overcome a back problem that has prevented him from playing since November. Thus, the defender will likely miss at least a few more games before bouncing back to game action. Meanwhile, Leny Yoro, Lisandro Martinez (calf) and, once he serves his ban, Harry Maguire, will be the squad's main center-back options.
Working on comeback
De Ligt (back) remains 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: De Ligt is still progressing through his back injury and remains outside the group, having yet to even be reported training with his teammates. This has been a rough spell for the defender as he now just hopes he can see the field in April, or else it will be a close call to even return this season. With United seeing a recent boost under new management, the defender will be eager to get back and stake his claim as one of the better defenders in the world, last playing Nov. 30.
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.
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: De Ligt is still working towards a return to play after a back injury has left him out since November, a brutal run for the defender. He is likely to remain out another two games, including the Everton match, as he remains behind Mason Mount in terms of recovery, and Mount is out to face the Toffees as well. Once De Ligt is fit, a starting role should be waiting, not missing a single start until his injury.
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: De Ligt is in around the same situation he was in before their last game, and is still working for a return, not an option to face West Ham on Tuesday, but eying a return against Everton on Feb. 23. However, it appears he will be a close call for the game, potentially missing out if he still needs time. The club waits for his return after their mid-season resurgence under new management, as he hadn't missed a start all season up until the injury.
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: De Ligt won't be available to face the Spurs, and it seems the quick turnaround against West Ham on Feb. 10 will also come too soon for the defender. The Dutchman is progressing well, though, and he could be ready to be an option for defensive depth in the next few weeks. He'd have to compete with Leny Yoro, Lisandro Martinez and Harry Maguire for minutes at center-back, though.
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: De Ligt hasn't played since Nov. 30, and this will be his 11th straight absence across all competitions. The Dutchman is likely a few weeks away from returning, according to Carrick, but he seems to be trending in the right direction. He'll compete for a spot at center-back alongside Harry Maguire, Leny Yoro and Lisandro Martinez once he's back to full fitness.
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: De Ligt is set to miss a 10th straight game with a nagging back injury, and based on Carrick's words, there's no timetable for his return. This means Harry Maguire, Leny Yoro and Lisandro Martinez are set to battle for the two spots at center-back in Carrick's 4-2-3-1 scheme.
Still working with staff
De Ligt (back) is still working with the medical staff and not yet ready to feature, coach Ruben Amorim said in the press conference. "We are still working with him, he is not available for this one."
Analysis: De Ligt is still not an option for Manchester United as he is still working with the medical staff to recover from his back issues. The center-back's absence is reducing the options in the backline, with Ayden Heaven and Leny Yoro seeing increased playing time in the defense.
Still recovering from injury
De Ligt (back) is still recovering from a back injury and not available for the time being, the club announced.
Analysis: De Ligt missed the last three games due to a back injury and won't return for Sunday's clash against Aston Villa. The extent of his injury remains unknown, and his timeline to return has yet to be defined. The center-back will hope to return before the end of the year, as the Red Devils will need him fit given the lack of options in the backline, with Noussair Mazraoui set to play in the AFCON. Ayden Heaven and Leny Yoro are expected to see increased playing time while De Ligt is sidelined.
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