Matthijs de Ligt has finally returned to partial Manchester United team training after spending more than eight months on the sidelines with a back problem. The latest Matthijs de Ligt injury development is a significant step forward for Michael Carrick, although Wednesday night’s friendly against Leeds will come too soon for the defender.
De Ligt has not played since United’s 2-1 victory over Crystal Palace on 30 November 2025.
The Netherlands international eventually underwent surgery on his troublesome back in May after attempts to resolve the problem through rehabilitation failed to deliver the required improvement.
His pre-season had therefore been spent working away from Carrick’s main group at Carrington.
That has now changed.
Sports Illustrated reports that De Ligt completed the opening 15 minutes of United’s team session in County Kildare before returning to an individual programme as the intensity increased.
Matthijs de Ligt injury recovery reaches important stage
The defender is still some way from competitive action.
The Sun reports that De Ligt will not feature against Leeds and remains expected to miss the beginning of the Premier League season.
That should come as little surprise after such a lengthy lay-off.
De Ligt has been out for 254 days and has yet to play a competitive game under Carrick, so United have little reason to accelerate his return simply to give him minutes during pre-season.
ReadManUtd noted in Saturday’s confirmed United team against PSG that De Ligt remained one of several senior players unavailable through injury.
Carrick has relied heavily on Harry Maguire, Leny Yoro and Ayden Heaven in his absence, while Lisandro Martinez has also only recently returned following his World Cup injury.
De Ligt’s eventual comeback will increase that competition significantly.
Sports Illustrated suggests he is likely to compete primarily with Maguire for the right-sided centre-back position when fully fit, with Carrick expected to need considerable defensive depth once Champions League football begins.
Leeds will arrive too soon.
For United, though, simply seeing De Ligt back alongside his team-mates after more than eight months away represents meaningful progress.
