De Ligt undergoes surgery and will be out for Man United for several months | OneFootball

Manchester United defender Matthijs de Ligt has undergone surgery to address the back injury that has sidelined him since November.

He will miss the 2026 World Cup and could be out until later this year.

The 26-year-old has not featured since the game between Man United and Crystal Palace in November, despite optimism from within Old Trafford that he was nearing a return.

The operation was confirmed by Man United on Friday, with the club describing the procedure as successful and necessary after rehabilitation failed to resolve the issue.

De Ligt had initially only been ruled out for a short period by former manager Ruben Amorim.

Interim boss Michael Carrick later suggested the defender had resumed training and could still feature before the end of the campaign.

However, United have now accepted that the problem was more serious and complex than first anticipated.

De Ligt has admitted he had exhausted every avenue in an effort to return without surgery.

“Since November, I have done everything, pushing myself in every session and exploring every option, to get back to doing what I love, playing football,” he said.

He will not return to action until the early stages of the 2026/27 season.

De Ligt was one of United’s standout performers before the injury, playing every minute of every Premier League game until the end of November.

His situation raises questions about whether Man United will return to the transfer market for reinforcements.

The club may decide to bolster the numbers for a season in which they will be in the Champions League.