Manchester United's Growing Concern Over De Ligt's Prolonged Absence
As Manchester United navigate a critical period in their season, the extended absence of defender Matthijs de Ligt has become a significant worry for the club and its supporters. The £42 million signing has now been sidelined for over two months, with his last appearance coming in the victory against Crystal Palace on 30 November.
The Timeline of Uncertainty
Initially, manager Ruben Amorim expressed optimism about de Ligt's return, suggesting the issue was minor following the West Ham United match in early December. However, just a week later, ahead of the Bournemouth fixture, Amorim revealed the problem was related to the player's back, admitting uncertainty about the precise nature of the injury.
By the end of January, assistant manager Michael Carrick provided another update, indicating the Dutch international remained several weeks away from fitness. Speaking ahead of Saturday's clash with Tottenham, Carrick stated de Ligt was "working his way back", offering no concrete timeline for his return.
The Impact on United's Defence
Prior to his injury, de Ligt had established himself as one of United's most consistent performers this season. Despite missing the last twelve matches, he still leads the team in aerial duels won, having played every minute of Premier League action before being sidelined.
His absence comes at a particularly inconvenient time as Carrick transitions to a four-at-the-back system. The manager's preferred pairing of Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martinez now faces the prospect of carrying the defensive burden for the remainder of the campaign, with no clear indication of when de Ligt might return.
The Complexity of Back Injuries
Medical experts highlight the particularly problematic nature of back injuries for professional athletes. Stephen Smith, CEO of Kitman Labs, which specialises in injury welfare and performance analytics, explains the potential complications.
"Back injuries are always complex, or they have the potential to be very complex," Smith told Metro. "We don't know if this is a muscular issue, a neural issue, or an articular issue. Each comes with its own set of complications and timelines."
Smith suggests the injury may have been more serious than initially communicated, or that recovery has taken longer than anticipated. The physical demands placed on a footballer's back during training and matches make such injuries particularly challenging to manage.
Historical Context and Recovery Prospects
Back problems have derailed seasons for other Premier League clubs, most notably when Arsenal lost William Saliba to a similar injury in March 2023, effectively ending their title challenge. While there's no suggestion de Ligt faces identical issues, the comparison highlights the potential severity.
For de Ligt personally, this represents his longest spell out of action since a shoulder problem in 2020, with the current absence extending to 65 days and counting across twelve missed matches.
One positive aspect is the defender's lack of previous back issues, suggesting this may be an isolated incident rather than a recurring problem. Additionally, United's relatively light schedule for the second half of the season – with just fourteen games remaining following their FA Cup exit – could provide ideal conditions for a careful rehabilitation process.
"More rest between games gives them the opportunity to manage those issues," Smith noted. "United can probably take some solace in the fact there doesn't appear to be a history behind it, so hopefully they have nipped it in the bud."
As Manchester United continue their push for Champions League qualification, the mystery surrounding their £42 million defender's fitness remains a significant subplot, with medical experts warning that back injuries require careful management and patience during recovery.
