Man United head coach Michael Carrick says de ligt is without a clear return date as the defender continues to be sidelined by a persistent back injury. Carrick warned it is impossible to put a timescale on the recovery after the player missed the home game with West Ham on 4 December and has not featured since the 2-1 win at Crystal Palace on 30 November. The club is taking a cautious approach while working through rehabilitation and monitoring whether further intervention will be needed.
Expanding details
De Ligt had been an ever-present in the side for the first 13 league games of the season before the problem forced him out of the squad. Carrick said: “It’s difficult to say, just because it’s taken that much. ” He added that back injuries can appear resolved and then flare up: “With backs sometimes you think it’s all right and all of a sudden it’s not quite right. ” The manager stressed the club’s plan is measured: “We’re just being patient and working through it. We’ll give him time and try to get him back as quickly as we can, but it’s really difficult to say. “
De Ligt: Immediate reactions
Ruben Amorim had earlier described the problem as a “small thing” and expected de Ligt to be available shortly after he first missed the West Ham match, but the player did not return to the side that followed. Michael Carrick refused to rule out the possibility that de Ligt could miss the remainder of the campaign, saying: “I can’t give you any more on it really. ” On the question of surgery, Carrick kept options open but declined to engage on that possibility at this stage: “I don’t want to get into that at this stage. We’ll try and do whatever we can to help and we’re working through that now. “
Quick context
De Ligt was selected by national coach Ronald Koeman for qualifying matches in September and November, and his lengthy absence now hampers hopes of a summer return to international duty. The player, who has previously played for Ajax, Juventus and Bayern Munich, has made 56 appearances and scored three goals for Manchester United.
What’s next
As of 13 April ET, de ligt will have been out of action for more than four months, and Manchester United plan further rehabilitation work while assessing all options. Carrick said the club will continue to give the defender time to recover, monitor progress closely and only decide on any surgical route if it becomes necessary; the immediate focus is measured recovery and reassessment ahead of the club’s remaining fixtures.
