Manchester United welcomed center back Matthijs de Ligt back into first-team training on Monday, signaling that the end of his frustrating eight-month injury layoff is getting close.
De Ligt hasn’t played since Nov. 30, 2025 because of a troublesome back problem that eventually saw him have surgery in May. That procedure was deemed a success and the Dutchman has spent preseason until now working on his rehabilitation at Carrington.
But this leg of the club’s summer tour of northern Europe, which has so far taken in camps and matches in Finland, Norway and Sweden, saw De Ligt link up with the squad for the first time as the group traveled to the Republic of Ireland.
He took part in the first 15 minutes of Monday’s training session at a facility in Co. Kildare, before a planned move back onto his own individual program as the intensity for the rest of the group then increased. Although there is still work for De Ligt to do before he can return to playing matches, this can certainly be viewed as a positive step in his overall recovery process.
Carrick’s Red Devils will take the short ride to Dublin on Wednesday, facing Leeds United at the city’s famed Croke Park stadium. The group will then conclude preseason on Saturday with a match against AC Milan, coincidentally now managed by former Reds boss Ruben Amorim, in Wrocław, Poland.
De Ligt Among 10 Players Added to Latest Man Utd Squad
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