Manchester United defender Matthijs de Ligt has undergone surgery to address the back injury that has derailed his season. The Netherlands international has not played since the victory over Crystal Palace at the end of November. He was initially expected to be back the following week but a complex back issue has kept him out of the side since, having no role to play under Michael Carrick.
The former Ajax, Juventus and Bayern Munich star has not even trained with his teammates in six months with the club confirming on Thursday he has undergone 'successful' surgery. De Ligt will miss Netherlands' World Cup campaign with United confirming that he hopes to return to action 'in the early stages of the 2026-27 season'.
'After six months of treatment and working hard to get back, surgery was the only option left,' de Ligt wrote on Instagram. 'I'm disappointed I couldn't help the team the last six months and obviously missing out on the World Cup but I am looking forward to doing everything to get back in front of the fans and feeling better again.'
De Ligt was United's outstanding defender during the first-half of the season, playing every minute of every game before injury struck. He joined the club from Bayern in the summer of 2024 in a deal worth £42m.
In de Ligt's absence, Harry Maguire, who missed over two months of action in the first-half of the campaign, has taken over as United's leading centre-half, rewarded with a contract extension last month. Lisandro Martinez has been his partner at the back when available but the Argentina international has missed eight games under Carrick through injury and suspension. Ayden Heaven impressed standing in for Martinez with Leny Yoro also among the options heading into next season.
