Matthijs de Ligt's Comeback: United and Netherlands Anticipate Defensive Star

Matthijs de Ligt is finally nearing the end of a year-long ordeal.

The Dutch centre-back has not played a competitive minute since November 2025, his season – and World Cup dream – wrecked by a stubborn back injury that refused to go away. What began as a short-term concern turned into six months of failed conservative treatment, gym sessions, and false dawns. In the end, there was only one option left.

De Ligt went under the knife in May, a decision that officially shut the door on his hopes of reaching the 2026 World Cup. For a former Ajax captain who has lived his career on the biggest stages, watching from home cut deep. He admitted as much on social media, explaining that after half a year of work and rehab, surgery was the last remaining route, and lamenting that he could not help Manchester United or his country on the pitch.

Now the mood around him is very different.

Back at Carrington, the United defender has returned to full training and is making what club staff describe as significant physical progress. The expectation inside the camp is clear: once the current international break is over, De Ligt should finally be ready to rejoin the matchday squad.

For United, that is a major defensive boost. Michael Carrick has had to juggle his backline for months, and the prospect of restoring De Ligt at the heart of it changes the outlook of their season. Speaking after a recent 1-1 draw with Fulham, the United manager underlined how close some of his key players are to returning.

“Amad [Diallo], hopefully by the time we get back, he will have trained with the group. Matta [De Ligt] is working towards his fitness as well,” Carrick said, hinting at a squad that could look far stronger after the break.

The calendar does not give him much time. United resume their Premier League campaign with a high-stakes clash against Tottenham Hotspur on October 10. Carrick has not promised De Ligt will start or even feature against Spurs, but the defender’s reintegration into team training suggests his comeback is no longer a distant prospect. It feels close now. Inevitable, even.

While United count down the days, so do the Netherlands.

Under new management, the Oranje are building towards a demanding run of Nations League fixtures against Germany, Serbia, and Greece. Their new boss, Barcelona legend Xavi, has made it clear that De Ligt remains central to his plans. The Dutch coach has been in regular contact with both the player and Manchester United, tracking every step of his recovery.

“Yes, we’re in touch with him and Manchester United,” Xavi said. “He’s been through a tough time. I’ve also been in touch with Frenkie de Jong and Xavi Simons recently. We need all our players, especially these guys.”

The message from the national team could hardly be stronger. De Ligt is not just another option; he is a cornerstone.

“He’s doing well. We are checking how are they. We want to check because we need all the players. In this case, De Ligt is an important player. He could be important in the future,” Xavi added, underlining the defender’s status within the Oranje setup.

The last year has tested De Ligt’s resolve like never before. From the moment he accepted surgery and surrendered his World Cup place, his focus narrowed to a single target: return stronger, both for club and country. Every step since – the lonely rehab sessions, the repeated fitness tests, the gradual increase in workload at Carrington – has been geared towards this moment.

If he can prove his match sharpness in the coming weeks, United’s backline changes overnight. A fit De Ligt brings authority, leadership, and a presence they have badly missed. At the same time, a successful run of domestic games would push him straight back into contention for Xavi’s next Netherlands squad.

After a year stuck on the sidelines, the question is no longer whether De Ligt will come back.

It’s how big an impact he’s about to make.