Manchester United fans noticed something unusual when their team faced Wolverhampton recently. Their defensive leader, Matthijs de Ligt, was nowhere to be seen in the matchday squad—again.
The Dutch centre-back has been one of Ruben Amorim’s most trusted players throughout the 2025/2026 campaign. Since the season kicked off, de Ligt has been a near-permanent fixture in United’s starting XI, commanding the backline with consistency and authority.
Absence Against West Ham Raised Questions
The confusion started when de Ligt missed United’s previous match against West Ham. At that time, the club confirmed that the defender was dealing with a minor injury. The coaching staff initially expected him to recover in time for the clash against Wolves, giving fans hope that he would return to action quickly.
However, instead of rejoining the squad, de Ligt was absent once again. Naturally, this raised concerns among supporters regarding the true condition of the Netherlands international.
Still Not Fit to Play
During his post-match press conference at Molineux Stadium, manager Ruben Amorim addressed the ongoing situation. When asked why de Ligt wasn’t included in the squad, Amorim revealed that the defender was still not physically ready to compete.
The manager emphasized that he did not want to take unnecessary risks by rushing de Ligt back into action before he was fully recovered.
“Yes, he (de Ligt) wasn’t ready to play this match,” Amorim told the media after the game.
According to him, forcing a player to return prematurely could worsen the injury—something he is determined to avoid.
No Clear Timeline for Return
When further pressed about when de Ligt might be available again, Amorim admitted that there is no definitive timeline for his comeback. This revelation suggests that the injury may be more complicated than initially believed.
“I don’t know when he will be back. We’ll monitor him day by day, but I cannot say when he’ll rejoin the first team,” Amorim explained.
This uncertainty is bound to worry fans, especially considering de Ligt’s critical role in the heart of United’s defense this season.
United Have Backup Options
Despite de Ligt’s ongoing absence, Manchester United still have several capable defenders ready to step up. The squad depth in the centre-back position allows Amorim to rotate and keep the defense stable.
Players such as:
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Ayden Heaven
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Leny Yoro
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Lisandro Martínez
have been available to fill the gap left by de Ligt. Their presence ensures that the team can continue competing at a high level while the Dutchman recovers fully.
Matthijs de Ligt’s continued absence has become a talking point among Manchester United supporters, but Ruben Amorim has made it clear that the priority is ensuring the defender returns in peak condition. With no confirmed date for his comeback, United will rely on their defensive depth while monitoring de Ligt’s progress closely.
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