Manchester United defender Matthijs de Ligt will miss the start of the 2026/27 Premier League season following back surgery, delaying his expected return until autumn 2026 as reported by The National and The Athletic.
The 26-year-old center-back has been sidelined since November 30, 2025, after suffering a back injury during a 2-1 victory over Crystal Palace.
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Although Manchester United recently confirmed that De Ligt underwent successful surgery in May to resolve the issue, his rehabilitation timeline has extended beyond initial club expectations.
The extended absence meant De Ligt missed the 2026 World Cup with the Netherlands national team.
The defender, who holds a contract with the Red Devils for three more seasons, was originally slated to return in time for Manchester United's season opener against Hull City on August 22.
Tactical Challenge for Manager Michael Carrick
The injury delay presents a tactical challenge for manager Michael Carrick as Manchester United prepares for both domestic competition and the Champions League.
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Internal data from the 2025/26 season revealed severe defensive instability, with no central defender reaching 20 Premier League starts.
- Harry Maguire: 19 starts
- Leny Yoro: 18 starts
- Lisandro Martinez: 13 starts
- Matthijs de Ligt: 13 starts
- Ayden Heaven: 11 starts
Alongside De Ligt's ongoing recovery, fellow defender Lisandro Martinez suffered an injury during the 2026 World Cup final between Argentina and Spain, though medical evaluations indicated the damage was less severe than initially feared.
Harry Maguire, Leny Yoro, Noussair Mazraoui, and Ayden Heaven remain available in the central defensive rotation.
To address defensive depth, Manchester United is evaluating potential transfer targets, including free agent Malang Sarr, Tottenham's Micky van Hecke, Everton's Jake O'Brien, and Udinese's Oumar Solet.
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The club is also leading negotiations to sign AS Roma midfielder Manu Kone for approximately 40 million pounds to strengthen central coverage.
