Blow for Carrick as ‘fantastic’ Man Utd star ‘likely’ ruled out for the season | OneFootball

Manchester United are expected to be deprived of Matthijs de Ligt until the end of the season, as the Dutchman continues to struggle with injury.

The 26-year-old suffered a back injury in November. While the knock didn’t appear to be too serious at first, with the player tipped to make a swift recovery, he has already been out of action for almost five months.

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While previous reports tipped the defender to resume action, more reliable sources confirmed that Michael Carrick and the club are concerned about De Ligt’s condition amidst recurring setbacks and the lack of significant progress in his recovery path.

Matthijs de Ligt unlikely to play again this season

With less than two months remaining before the end of the season, the Dutch defender is beginning to run out of time, with his hopes of rescuing a spot in Ronald Koeman’s World Cup squad slowly fading.

According to the Sun journalist Katherine Walsh, De Ligt’s return before the end of the campaign remains a ‘tall order’ based on his current physical condition.

As the source explains, the former Ajax captain has yet to return to grass training, which means he still has a few more steps to overcome in his rehabilitation process before earning a call-up.

While the player has yet to raise the white flag, Walsh believes his chances of playing for Man Utd again in the 2025/26 campaign are increasingly dim.

Man Utd don’t have a defensive crisis despite De Ligt’s absence

The good news for Man United is that their centre-back department has enough quality and depth to overcome this injury blow, even though the ‘fantastic’ De Ligt might be at the top of the pecking order when fit.

Carrick will be able to rely on Lisandro Martinez once more following his return to injury. The Argentine could thus replace the in-form Leny Yoro starting from the clash against Leeds United on April 13, reigniting his partnership with Harry Maguire.

The 2022 World Cup winner and the England international formed a superb defensive duo in Carrick’s first matches in charge, so the 44-year-old will be enticed to reunite them as soon as possible.

In addition to Yoro, United also have another young rising centre-back in Ayden Heaven, who has also shown enough promise and composure to warrant additional playing time.