**Multiple sources acknowledge that despite his status as a professional athlete** – and the medical facilities available to him – **the Dutchman is in the same position as anyone else managing a back problem.**
**That is to say that one day it might feel OK, but the next day not so much.**
De Ligt – and interim United boss Carrick – need to be sure his back can cope with the physical toll that comes with preparing for, and playing in, Premier League matches.
**There have been periods when it was felt De Ligt was getting close. Sources have said he has also been ‘on the grass’ at times.** This is not one of those times.
**It is not being categorised as a setback. If De Ligt feels OK, he can do work outside.** **If he doesn’t, he can’t. Unlike with a muscular problem, the situation can change very quickly.**
[.]
**De Ligt upbeat but chances of return this season receding**
**While sources stress his mood is good and he remains optimistic about a return before the end of the campaign, he is also acutely aware there will need to be some kind of lead-in time and games are running out.**
There is also the reality that with United within touching distance of securing a return to the Champions League, which may prove decisive in Carrick getting the full-time head coaching role, **the man in charge is unlikely to take risks with player availability.**
[.]
Former head coach Ruben Amorim was not being deliberately misleading when, after De Ligt missed his first game of the season against West Ham in December, he told Sky Sports the problem was “a small thing” and he expected the defender to be available for the next game, against Wolves four days later.
At that stage, that is what Amorim genuinely felt. **Those around him were also making plans that suggested he would be playing again pretty soon.**
**Sadly for De Ligt, an outstanding performer for United** **in the early months of the season, that is not what happened.**
Comprehensive_Ad_675 on
I just hope he can get it right for his sake and life after football. I’m glad we’ve taken this approach with him. Sure we could have used him but we also done some irreversible damage. I hope he gets better soon.
Apprehensive-Raisin3 on
☹️
subvertedorator on
Going through a sciatica issue myself caused by a disc bulge, constant glute pain and leg stiffness for a year now is infuriating. Really hope he can find a way back and avoid the ongoing torture of nerve issues
3412points on
I’ve accepted he’s not playing again this season and no longer worry about it. If he does it will be a nice surprise, but I won’t take any promising news as an indication he will be back this season.
Lord_Sesshoumaru77 on
As someone with spine issues, I know that back pain is a serious issue. I wonder what the nature of his issue is.
0ttoChriek on
I used to work with a guy who had a chronic back issue, and every day was some level of physical and emotional struggle for him. Sometimes he literally couldn’t get out of bed, other times he’d be fine for hours then feel it again.
Not all back pain is just a pulled muscle that takes a bit of time to get over. The longer De Ligt is out, the more it seems like he has a serious issue that may never fully clear up.
ALLMIGHTYHYDE on
We definitely need a defender in the summer then.
EK077r on
De Ligt and Martinez cant be counted on meaning we need defenders
PowerofThunder on
I just hope the lad can play again, even if it is next season.
He’s still so young.
RandomRedditUser31 on
no reason to rush him and risk another setback, let everything heal properly so he’s ready for the new season.
ConC02 on
I really hope we can get him back to his best but back injuries are one of the most difficult things to manage and it has the potential to ruin his career. Rio ferdinand still has regular back issues to this day
Paladonia on
If it’s a disc problem, from personal experience they are unpredictable and can be difficult to manage conservatively. However, if surgery is required it is minimally invasive with a high success rate. Fingers crossed for a positive outcome either way.
3entendre on
I had my doubts when Bayern and Juventus let him go.
FarmerTypical1964 on
Crazy how he’s been out for 6 months, as weird as it sounds it doesn’t really feel like it but I guess it’s because we didn’t think the injury was anything at all + we have barely played this season in comparison to previous seasons
2Ravens89 on
Something of the Phil Jones about this guy
Key_Independence3770 on
Bayern sold us a dud. If it sounds too good to be true it probably is
![[Simon Stone] Four months and counting - De Ligt's wait goes on](https://www.eucup.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/89daURNjZc5aPiBx9miTjWjyvMzuBFbeMxmSLydNaQs-1024x576.jpeg "[Simon Stone] Four months and counting – De Ligt’s wait goes on")
17 Comments
**Key Bits:**
**Multiple sources acknowledge that despite his status as a professional athlete** – and the medical facilities available to him – **the Dutchman is in the same position as anyone else managing a back problem.**
**That is to say that one day it might feel OK, but the next day not so much.**
De Ligt – and interim United boss Carrick – need to be sure his back can cope with the physical toll that comes with preparing for, and playing in, Premier League matches.
**There have been periods when it was felt De Ligt was getting close. Sources have said he has also been ‘on the grass’ at times.** This is not one of those times.
**It is not being categorised as a setback. If De Ligt feels OK, he can do work outside.** **If he doesn’t, he can’t. Unlike with a muscular problem, the situation can change very quickly.**
[.]
**De Ligt upbeat but chances of return this season receding**
**While sources stress his mood is good and he remains optimistic about a return before the end of the campaign, he is also acutely aware there will need to be some kind of lead-in time and games are running out.**
There is also the reality that with United within touching distance of securing a return to the Champions League, which may prove decisive in Carrick getting the full-time head coaching role, **the man in charge is unlikely to take risks with player availability.**
[.]
Former head coach Ruben Amorim was not being deliberately misleading when, after De Ligt missed his first game of the season against West Ham in December, he told Sky Sports the problem was “a small thing” and he expected the defender to be available for the next game, against Wolves four days later.
At that stage, that is what Amorim genuinely felt. **Those around him were also making plans that suggested he would be playing again pretty soon.**
**Sadly for De Ligt, an outstanding performer for United** **in the early months of the season, that is not what happened.**
I just hope he can get it right for his sake and life after football. I’m glad we’ve taken this approach with him. Sure we could have used him but we also done some irreversible damage. I hope he gets better soon.
☹️
Going through a sciatica issue myself caused by a disc bulge, constant glute pain and leg stiffness for a year now is infuriating. Really hope he can find a way back and avoid the ongoing torture of nerve issues
I’ve accepted he’s not playing again this season and no longer worry about it. If he does it will be a nice surprise, but I won’t take any promising news as an indication he will be back this season.
As someone with spine issues, I know that back pain is a serious issue. I wonder what the nature of his issue is.
I used to work with a guy who had a chronic back issue, and every day was some level of physical and emotional struggle for him. Sometimes he literally couldn’t get out of bed, other times he’d be fine for hours then feel it again.
Not all back pain is just a pulled muscle that takes a bit of time to get over. The longer De Ligt is out, the more it seems like he has a serious issue that may never fully clear up.
We definitely need a defender in the summer then.
De Ligt and Martinez cant be counted on meaning we need defenders
I just hope the lad can play again, even if it is next season.
He’s still so young.
no reason to rush him and risk another setback, let everything heal properly so he’s ready for the new season.
I really hope we can get him back to his best but back injuries are one of the most difficult things to manage and it has the potential to ruin his career. Rio ferdinand still has regular back issues to this day
If it’s a disc problem, from personal experience they are unpredictable and can be difficult to manage conservatively. However, if surgery is required it is minimally invasive with a high success rate. Fingers crossed for a positive outcome either way.
I had my doubts when Bayern and Juventus let him go.
Crazy how he’s been out for 6 months, as weird as it sounds it doesn’t really feel like it but I guess it’s because we didn’t think the injury was anything at all + we have barely played this season in comparison to previous seasons
Something of the Phil Jones about this guy
Bayern sold us a dud. If it sounds too good to be true it probably is