Manchester United defender Matthijs de Ligt has undergone surgery to finally address a persistent back issue that has kept him out of action for the past six months. This development marks the end of his season and also dashes his hopes of representing the Netherlands at the World Cup.
The 26-year-old player had a promising start to what quickly became a challenging campaign. He was unable to feature in any competitive matches since a 2-1 victory over Crystal Palace in late November. The club confirmed that he has undergone a “corrective procedure” after failing to return to play following rehabilitation efforts last month.
United stated that De Ligt will now begin a new phase of his recovery, with an expected return to action for the team in the early stages of the 2026-27 season.
De Ligt shared a photo from a hospital bed on Instagram, showing him giving a thumbs-up, accompanied by a caption: “After six 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 six 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.”
De Ligt joined Manchester United from Bayern Munich in August 2024, making 42 appearances across all competitions during his first season at Old Trafford. However, this season he has been limited to just 14 outings, and it has now been confirmed that he will not be adding to that number.
The news of his surgery also means he will not be able to represent the Netherlands at the World Cup this summer. De Ligt has earned 52 international caps and has been part of the Netherlands squad in the last three major tournaments. However, he was an unused substitute throughout Euro 2024.
His absence is a significant blow for the Netherlands, as he could have been a key player in the Dutch backline alongside captain Virgil van Dijk.
The Netherlands are set to begin their World Cup campaign against Japan on 14 June, followed by a match against Sweden six days later. They will conclude their group stage campaign with a game against Tunisia in Kansas City on 25 June.
Despite the setback, De Ligt remains focused on his recovery and returning to the pitch. His determination and resilience will be crucial as he works through the next phase of his rehabilitation.
For fans and supporters, the hope is that De Ligt will make a full recovery and come back stronger in the coming seasons. His presence on the field has always been a valuable asset to both Manchester United and the Netherlands national team.
As the football world watches closely, there is optimism that De Ligt’s journey to recovery will lead to a successful return in the future. His dedication and positive attitude are signs that he is ready to face whatever challenges lie ahead.
