Matthijs de Ligt is thought to have featured in Manchester United's behind-closed-doors friendly against Lausanne Sport on Friday afternoon, as he nears the end of his recovery from back surgery.
The majority of United's senior players are away on international duty, so a youthful-looking team was fielded, but the club's website confirmed that Carlos Baleba, Harry Maguire and Matheus Cunha were involved. There was no mention of De Ligt, and no photo of him in the carefully curated gallery, which was not a surprise given United's desire to avoid creating unrealistic expectations among fans as he reaches the final stage of his recovery.
Long Road Back
De Ligt last played for United against Crystal Palace on November 30, meaning he has not made a competitive appearance in 307 days. Ruben Amorim initially suggested De Ligt would be out for a game with a back issue, but he was absent for the remainder of the season, and it was finally decided in May that he should give up his battle to avoid surgery to address the problem.
When a player has been out for so long, United are always reluctant to put a timeline on their recovery, as it would create unnecessary pressure at a time when the player needs to be eased back in. The club operates under a 'it will take how long it takes' mantra, which explains why De Ligt and other players before him who have been ruled out for prolonged periods are not rushed back into action.
Final Stage of Recovery
United want De Ligt's body to have fully recovered before he is available for a competitive fixture again, but the good news is the Dutchman is almost ready to be included in a squad for the first time since that Palace game. There was a hint that De Ligt might be back on the bench before the international break. He travelled with the team to London for United's game against Fulham before the international break, but was left out of the squad.
It was decided beforehand that De Ligt would travel to be around the team again but would not be on the bench at Craven Cottage. Nonetheless, the fact that he travelled confirmed that he was close to being available again. Facing Lausanne in a friendly on Friday afternoon represents the final stage of De Ligt's recovery. It was a game to blow away the cobwebs, but also a crucial test to see if the centre-back felt no pain.
Boost for Carrick
The answer to whether the test was successful will be revealed when United play Tottenham at Old Trafford on October 10, while Michael Carrick could offer an update in his press conference ahead of the game. Even if De Ligt is passed fit to be on the bench against Tottenham after the international break, he will need a few weeks to get back up to speed.
Maguire and Lisandro Martinez, the first-choice centre-back pairing, are available, and Michael Carrick has cover with Leny Yoro and Ayden Heaven, so there is no need to chuck De Ligt straight into the deep end. Baby steps will be made when De Ligt is available again, although he will surely be itching to contribute after missing such a significant chunk of time on the pitch.
It will be a huge boost for Carrick to have De Ligt available for selection. There are a few doubts about United's current defensive options, and it's easy to forget that De Ligt was one of United's best players before he picked up his injury. He was excellent defensively from the start of last season and rescued a point against Tottenham before the November 2025 international break with a late goal. At that stage, he was the only United player to have played every league minute.
De Ligt was rewarded with a recall to the Netherlands squad. “I’m 26 now and, I think, I’m entering the best years of my career, both physically and mentally,” he said. “I’ve changed my mindset. Initially, I didn’t want to make mistakes, now I want to do as many good things as possible.”
Amorim did not include De Ligt in his six-man leadership group, but he was leading by example, and stepped up on a handful of occasions to front up to journalists after some disappointing results. When United lost 3-1 away to Brentford, a chastening result for Amorim, the mood was low, and the security guard who escorts players from the dressing room to the team bus said: "You have absolutely no chance of someone stopping to talk."
The general rule is United players are reluctant to speak to reporters in the mixed zone after a defeat, and the security guard's prediction looked set to come true until De Ligt agreed to stop for a chat. De Ligt reiterated the players must take responsibility for their performances and cut out individual mistakes. "He is playing well," another staff member remarked of the centre back when he got on the bus. United need that version of De Ligt when he is available again.
