Matthijs de Ligt’s Injury Absence Reaches Four-Month Mark as Manchester United Return Prospects Diminish

Matthijs de Ligt has now been sidelined for four months with a back injury. Read the latest on his rehabilitation at Carrington and his chances of returning for Man Utd.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 13, 2026, 7:00 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from BBC

Rehabilitation Isolation at Carrington

As Manchester United’s first-team squad traveled to Maynooth, Ireland, for a mid-season training camp last week, Matthijs de Ligt remained behind at the club’s Carrington base. The 26-year-old Dutch international was excluded from Michael Carrick’s 25-man traveling party to continue intensive treatment on a back issue that has proven difficult to manage. While other injured players like Patrick Dorgu were included in the trip to continue their "on the grass" recovery, De Ligt’s condition has restricted him to gym-based exercises and physiotherapy, highlighting the non-linear nature of his recovery process.

The Complexity of Back Injury Management

Medical sources close to the club have noted that De Ligt’s recovery lacks the predictable timeline often associated with muscular tears. Unlike a hamstring or calf strain, his back problem fluctuates daily; intervals of feeling healthy are frequently followed by periods of discomfort that prevent outdoor activity. Interim manager Michael Carrick emphasized that the club must be entirely certain the defender's back can withstand the high-impact physical toll of Premier League competition before he is cleared for full training. This cautious approach has led to a stagnant recovery phase where the player is not currently "on the grass."

From a "Small Thing" to a Long-Term Absence

The duration of De Ligt’s layoff has exceeded all initial projections. Following his last appearance in a 2-1 victory over Crystal Palace on November 30, former head coach Ruben Amorim initially described the injury as a minor issue and expected a quick return. However, what was projected to be a one-game absence has transformed into a four-month ordeal. De Ligt, who was a standout performer in the early stages of the season, has now missed a critical portion of the campaign, including the transition of coaching leadership from Amorim to Carrick.