Manchester United have received another disappointing update ahead of the 2026/2027 season, with first-team defender Matthijs de Ligt expected to wait longer before making his return to competitive action.
The Dutch centre-back has been sidelined since suffering a back injury during Manchester United’s Premier League clash against Crystal Palace in November last year. Since then, De Ligt has spent around eight months away from the squad, leaving United without one of their most important defensive figures.
Initially, the club was optimistic that the 26-year-old could make his comeback at the start of the new campaign after undergoing surgery. However, the latest reports suggest that his recovery process has not progressed as quickly as initially expected.
The situation presents another challenge for Manchester United as they prepare for a demanding 2026/27 season, where they will compete across multiple competitions, including the UEFA Champions League. Defensive depth has once again become a major concern for the club ahead of the new campaign.
De Ligt’s Back Injury Proves More Complicated Than Expected
Matthijs de Ligt had been a consistent presence in Manchester United’s starting lineup before his injury setback. The former Bayern Munich and Juventus defender played every Premier League match leading up to the encounter against Crystal Palace, where he helped United secure a 2-1 victory.
At the time, the injury was initially considered to be a minor issue. Former manager Ruben Amorim was even confident that De Ligt would recover quickly and could potentially return for the following fixture.
However, the situation turned out to be far more complicated.
The Netherlands international did not make another appearance for Manchester United for the remainder of the season. His prolonged absence raised concerns, eventually leading the club to confirm that the defender had undergone surgery as part of his rehabilitation process.
Manchester United stated that the procedure was considered the best option to ensure De Ligt could fully recover and return to his previous level of performance.
After surgery, De Ligt began a new stage of his recovery programme, with initial expectations that he would be ready to feature at the beginning of the 2026/27 season.
Manchester United’s Comeback Plans Could Be Delayed
The hope of seeing De Ligt back in action from the opening weeks of the new season now appears uncertain.
According to senior journalist Andy Mitten, the defender’s recovery could take longer than expected, with his return potentially being pushed back until the autumn period.
If that timeline proves accurate, Manchester United would have to start the new season without one of their key central defenders. This could create additional pressure for manager Michael Carrick, who will need a strong and reliable squad to compete domestically and in Europe.
The absence of De Ligt could force United to rely more heavily on their remaining defensive options during the early stages of the campaign.
Positive Injury News for Lisandro Martinez
While Manchester United continue to monitor De Ligt’s situation, the club have received more encouraging news regarding another important defender, Lisandro Martinez.
The Argentine centre-back is not believed to have suffered a serious injury and is expected to return to training and match action next month.
Martinez’s availability would provide a major boost for Carrick, especially with De Ligt’s comeback timeline becoming increasingly uncertain.
The former Ajax defender remains one of United’s most influential players due to his aggression, leadership, and ability to play out from the back.
United Forced to Rely on Defensive Depth
During De Ligt’s absence, Manchester United have had to explore alternative defensive combinations.
Young defenders such as Ayden Heaven and Leny Yoro have been given opportunities to gain valuable first-team experience, while Noussair Mazraoui has impressed when deployed in defensive roles.
Meanwhile, experienced players including Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martinez have carried much of the responsibility at the heart of United’s defence.
Yoro’s development has been particularly important, with the young French defender showing confidence and maturity despite limited experience at the highest level.
However, Manchester United still view De Ligt as a crucial part of their long-term defensive plans, meaning his delayed return remains a significant setback.
Defensive Concerns Ahead of a Crucial Season
Manchester United are entering a new era with ambitious targets for the 2026/27 campaign. Competing in the Champions League requires consistency, squad depth, and defensive stability throughout the season.
The prolonged absence of Matthijs de Ligt could force the club to reconsider their defensive strategy, either by relying more on existing options or exploring potential reinforcements in the transfer market.
For De Ligt himself, the priority remains making a full recovery rather than rushing back prematurely. After such a lengthy spell on the sidelines, ensuring he returns at 100% fitness will be crucial for both the player and Manchester United.
The Red Devils will continue to monitor his progress closely, hoping that their defensive leader can return sooner rather than later and play a major role in their ambitions for the upcoming season.
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