Manchester United are facing a race against time to get their defensive line in order ahead of the new Premier League campaign. While the Red Devils have enjoyed a productive pre-season, head coach Michael Carrick has been handed a mixed bag regarding the fitness of his two primary centre-backs Lisandro Martinez and Matthijs de Ligt.
The 2026 World Cup is almost here. After years of build-up, dramatic qualifiers and numerous good - and bad - news stories surrounding FIFA's flagship finals, players and coaches from around the world are completing their last preparations after descending on the United States, Mexico and Canada for the biggest international football tournament to ever have been staged.
Manchester United defender Matthijs de Ligt has seen his season and World Cup dreams come to an end after undergoing surgery on a persistent back injury. The Netherlands international, who has been sidelined since November, had recently returned to light training but has now been forced to go under the knife to resolve the issue.
Michael Carrick has confirmed that Manchester United will not rush Matthijs de Ligt back into action before the end of the season despite the defender returning to light training. The Dutch international has been sidelined since late November with a back injury and faces a race against time to feature in the club's remaining Premier League fixtures.
Manchester United head coach Michael Carrick has insisted he will not be forced into gambling on Lisandro Martinez's fitness for Monday's high-stakes clash against Leeds United. Despite a defensive shortage at Old Trafford, the Red Devils boss is determined to take a long-term view regarding the Argentine's return to competitive action.
Manchester United defender Matthijs de Ligt reportedly remains optimistic about returning to the pitch before the 2025-26 Premier League campaign concludes on May 24. Despite initial fears that his season was over, the Dutchman is making progress in his recovery from a complex back issue.
Manchester United boss Michael Carrick has given an update on Matthijs de Ligt as the Dutchman continues his recovery from a back injury. The coach also had positive news about another stricken United player as his side prepare to welcome Crystal Palace to Old Trafford on Sunday, when the Red Devils will be looking for their fourth consecutive home victory.
Manchester United defender Matthijs de Ligt appeared to question manager Ruben Amorim's tactics after the Red Devils' embarrassing loss to 10-man Everton on Monday. The defeat ended a five-game unbeaten streak for United in the Premier League and sent them tumbling to 10th in the table, 11 points adrift of leaders Arsenal, and De Ligt pulled no punches after the final whistle.
Matthijs de Ligt scored a 96th-minute equaliser as Manchester United managed to snag a 2-2 draw from their trip to Tottenham, snapping a run of four successive losses to Spurs. Thomas Frank's side trailed for much of the game but a late turnaround saw them close in on three points, only for Ruben Amorim's men to claw back at the very last and enact at least some sort of revenge after losing last season's Europa League final.
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