Manchester United are increasingly confident about Matthijs de Ligt’s recovery from a back injury that has kept him out for roughly 10 months, with the defender back on the training pitch and being lined up for a possible return following the international break later this month, according to TEAMtalk.
The Dutch centre-back has not featured for United since a 2-1 win over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park last November, and his prolonged absence has been one of the more frustrating subplots of the club’s season. TEAMtalk reports sources are encouraged by his progress and believe he is moving in the right direction after such a lengthy lay-off.
Why Manchester United Are Playing It Cautious With De Ligt
According to TEAMtalk, De Ligt could potentially have been reintroduced in the coming weeks, but United do not want to take unnecessary risks with his recovery. The stated priority is having him fit and available for the majority of the season rather than rushing him back and risking another setback.
That approach tracks with how the club has handled his rehabilitation throughout, sources told TEAMtalk that United and the player initially tried to manage the back problem through rehab alone before surgery became necessary in May. The issue was serious enough to rule him out of World Cup contention, underlining why caution is now the watchword rather than a rushed reintroduction.
Matthijs de Ligt’s Injury Background
De Ligt’s back trouble has been a persistent issue since he last played competitively, and the operation in May followed an unsuccessful attempt to resolve things without surgery. His return to full training is regarded as a significant step given how long he has been sidelined, and it echoes the kind of gradual, closely monitored comeback United fans have seen elsewhere in the league, William Saliba’s own back surgery and uncertain return timeline being a recent comparable case at Arsenal.
Michael Carrick, addressing reporters ahead of United’s Champions League clash with Sabah, confirmed De Ligt is training and in good shape, though he stopped short of putting a firm date on his involvement. Carrick said the defender’s return to training represents a good bonus for the squad at this stage of the campaign.
What Happens Next For Matthijs de Ligt
TEAMtalk understands a home match against Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford on October 10 has been pencilled in as a potential target for De Ligt’s first appearance back, though that is explicitly not being treated as a fixed comeback date. His progress will continue to be assessed closely in the coming weeks.
United’s stated preference is to have him properly ready for the demands of a full campaign rather than bring him back prematurely for a single fixture. A clean return would hand Carrick a genuinely experienced option at the back, timely, too, with the club continuing to weigh up defensive reinforcements such as their reported interest in Club Brugge’s Joaquin Seys.
For now, the picture is cautiously positive rather than confirmed. De Ligt is training, United are encouraged, and October 10 offers a realistic marker, but nothing more concrete than that at this stage.
