Manchester United star posts picture from hospital bed as World Cup hopes dashed | OneFootball

Matthijs de Ligt aiming to return next season after surgery on long-standing back injury was “only option left”

Manchester United defender Matthijs de Ligt will miss the remainder of the season and this summer’s World Cup after undergoing surgery.

The Dutch centre-back has not featured for club or country since United’s 2-1 Premier League win at Crystal Palace under Ruben Amorim back on November 30.

De Ligt, who had not previously missed a single minute in the top-flight this term, has been suffering from a persistent lower back injury that former head coach Amorim initially only expected to keep him sidelined for one match.

However, it has proved far more serious and kept the player out of action for the last six months, though there did previously appear hope that he could potentially return before the end of the campaign after he resumed individual training at Carrington in late April.

United have now confirmed that De Ligt has undergone successful surgery and will play no part in their remaining league games this term against Nottingham Forest and Brighton, with the 26-year-old currently expected to return to fitness during the early stages of next season.

He will not be available for selection for the Netherlands’ World Cup squad, which is due to be named by head coach Ronald Koeman on May 25.

“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,” De Ligt told United’s official website.

United added: “Everyone at Manchester United wishes Matthijs well for his recovery and will continue supporting him every step of the way.”

De Ligt then published a picture of himself on Instagram giving the thumbs-up from a hospital bed, writing: “After 6 months of treatment and working hard to get back, surgery was the only option left.

“I’m disappointed I couldn’t help the team the last 6 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.”