Matthijs de Ligt is still working on his return at Manchester United, and manager Michael Carrick hopes to be able to field him again this season.
Manchester United wait for key defender ahead of Brentford clash
Manchester United go into the meeting with Brentford FC at 21:00 with Matthijs de Ligt still working his way back from a persistent back problem, but there is now renewed hope that the Dutch defender could still feature again before the end of the season.
De Ligt has been out of action for several months and has not played for United since the beginning of December. His absence has been a major frustration for both the player and the club, particularly because he arrived with the reputation of an experienced, high-level central defender who had already played for Ajax, Juventus and Bayern Munich before moving to Old Trafford.
For much of his recovery, De Ligt was limited to indoor work, focusing on strength, mobility and the gradual rebuilding of his fitness. That type of rehabilitation can often be slow and repetitive, especially with a back injury, where the risk of a setback is always present if the player is pushed too quickly. The positive news for United is that he has now returned to some work on the pitch, which represents an important step forward in his recovery process.
Speaking ahead of the Premier League fixture against Brentford, Michael Carrick confirmed that De Ligt is making progress, although he was careful not to place any firm deadline on his return. The Manchester United manager made it clear that the defender is still in the process of getting fully fit and that the club will continue to manage the situation carefully.
Carrick explained that De Ligt is doing some work outside again and that this is a sign of progress, but he refused to go much further than that. His message was measured: United want the player back as soon as possible, but only when the timing is right and only when De Ligt is physically ready to cope with the demands of Premier League football again.
No fixed deadline, but season return not ruled out
The most significant part of Carrick comments came when he was asked directly whether De Ligt could still play again this season. With 5 Premier League matches remaining, time is clearly running out, but the manager refused to close the door on a possible comeback.
Carrick said he would not describe a return this season as impossible. On the contrary, he admitted that he hopes there is still a chance for De Ligt to be involved before the campaign is over. However, he also stressed that there will be no unnecessary pressure, no artificial deadline and no attempt to rush the player back simply because the season is reaching its final stage.
That position is understandable. A back injury can be particularly delicate for a defender, especially one whose game depends on strength, timing, jumping, acceleration over short distances and physical duels with opposition forwards. Bringing De Ligt back too early could risk another setback, and that would be far more damaging than waiting a little longer for a safer return.
For United, the ideal scenario would be to have him available for at least part of the run-in. Even if he does not immediately return as a starter, having a defender of his profile back in training and potentially available from the bench would give Carrick more options at a crucial point of the campaign. Squad depth becomes especially important in the final weeks of the season, when fatigue, injuries and pressure all increase.
A difficult season for De Ligt
This has not been the season De Ligt would have wanted. After arriving at Manchester United with a strong pedigree, the expectation was that he would become an important figure in the heart of the defence. Instead, injuries have restricted his involvement and made it difficult for him to build rhythm, confidence and consistency.
For any player, missing matches is frustrating. For a defender, it can be even more disruptive because so much depends on partnerships, communication and match sharpness. Centre-backs need time to understand the movement of the full-backs around them, the positioning of the midfielders in front of them and the preferences of the goalkeeper behind them. Long spells out of the team interrupt that process.
De Ligt also faces the mental challenge that comes with a long injury layoff. Training indoors, working away from the main group and watching matches from the sidelines can be one of the hardest parts of professional football. Carrick acknowledged that this kind of period is extremely difficult for any player, particularly one who is used to competing regularly at the highest level.
United are trying to support him through that process. The priority is not only to get him back onto the pitch, but to make sure he returns in a condition that allows him to stay fit and contribute properly. A short-term comeback would mean little if it led to another absence soon afterwards.
Questions over the summer remain open
Because De Ligt has played so little, questions have naturally started to emerge about where he fits into Manchester United plans for the future. The summer transfer window is approaching, and United will have decisions to make across several areas of the squad. Defensive stability has been a recurring issue, and the club will need to assess which players can be central to the next phase.
Carrick, however, did not want to make any strong judgement about the summer while the player is still injured. His focus is on the present situation: helping De Ligt recover, supporting him physically and mentally, and giving him the best possible chance of returning to the squad before the end of the season.
That is a sensible approach. It would be premature to draw major conclusions about De Ligt long-term role while he has been unavailable for such a significant period. The club signed him because of his quality, experience and leadership potential, and those attributes do not disappear because of one injury-hit campaign. At the same time, availability matters, and the final weeks of the season could still be important for how his situation is viewed internally.
If De Ligt can return before the campaign ends, even for limited minutes, it would give him a platform to show that he is moving in the right direction. It would also allow him to go into the summer with a more positive feeling, rather than ending the season entirely on the sidelines.
Brentford match comes too soon
The match against Brentford appears to come too soon for the Dutch defender. United will have to continue without him as they prepare for another Premier League test, and Carrick will once again need to rely on the available defensive options in his squad.
Brentford are rarely an easy opponent. They are physically strong, direct when needed and dangerous in attacking transitions. For a United side still dealing with absences, the match will demand concentration, organisation and discipline from the first minute. De Ligt qualities would naturally be useful in that type of contest, but the club cannot afford to take risks with his recovery.
United supporters will still take encouragement from the fact that he is back doing some work on the pitch. That does not guarantee an immediate return, but it shows that the recovery has moved beyond the earliest stages. The next steps will be crucial: increasing the intensity of training, assessing how his body reacts and deciding when he can rejoin the group more fully.
United need patience with De Ligt
The message from Carrick was clear. Manchester United want Matthijs de Ligt back quickly, but not carelessly. The defender remains an important player, he is still under contract until 2029, and the club has no interest in rushing him into action before he is ready.
For De Ligt, the objective is simple but demanding: complete the recovery, rebuild match fitness and return at the right moment. Whether that happens before the final whistle of the season remains uncertain, but Carrick has made it clear that the possibility is still alive.
After months of frustration, even cautious optimism is welcome news for United. De Ligt is not ready yet, but he is moving forward. For now, that is the most important development for the player, for Carrick and for a Manchester United side hoping to finish the season with more defensive strength and more options available.
