Manchester United fans have been asking one question for four months: Where on earth is Matthijs de Ligt? What started as a “minor back problem” in late November has snowballed into a season-threatening ordeal that has kept the 26-year-old Dutchman away from the grass since the victory over Crystal Palace.
But finally, we have a flicker of light at the end of the tunnel.
The “Complicated” Recovery
Initially expected to miss just a week of action, De Ligt has been trapped in a grueling rehabilitation cycle at Carrington. Interim boss Michael Carrick hasn’t been sugarcoating the situation, admitting that back injuries are notoriously unpredictable. One day it feels right; the next, it’s back to square one.
However, the latest reports suggest De Ligt is finally making progress. While he hasn’t returned to full team training yet, he is reportedly “optimistic” about featuring before the Premier League season wraps up on May 24.
World Cup Hopes Hanging by a Thread
It’s not just United’s top-four charge on the line. With the 2026 World Cup looming this summer, De Ligt is facing a race against time to prove his fitness to Ronald Koeman. Having missed the entirety of Carrick’s tenure so far, he’s gone from a guaranteed starter to a major doubt for the Oranje squad.
The club has opted against surgery for now, focusing on intensive therapy to get him ready for the final seven-game sprint of the campaign.
Can He Break Back Into the XI?
Even if he gets fit, De Ligt won’t just walk back into the lineup. In his absence, Harry Maguire has undergone a massive resurgence, and Leny Yoro is looking more like the real deal every week. With Lisandro Martinez also nearing a return, the competition at the heart of the defense has never been fiercer.
United need “Matta” back for his leadership and physicality, but at this stage, any appearance before May will feel like a massive win for both the player and the medical staff.
