Manchester United head coach Michael Carrick has admitted there is no guarantee that Matthijs de Ligt will play again this season, as the defender continues to struggle with a back issue. The 26-year-old centre-back has not featured since November 30, when he helped United secure a 2-1 win at Crystal Palace.
Speaking ahead of Friday's trip to Bournemouth, Carrick described the injury as frustrating and difficult to predict. "It's one of those things with backs that sometimes you think it's all right and then all of a sudden it's not quite right," he said. "We're just being patient and working through it."
United sources have indicated the club hopes to have De Ligt back before the end of the campaign, but Carrick stressed the uncertainty. "Honestly, it's difficult to say just because it's taken that much time," he added. The lay-off also casts doubt on De Ligt's chances of representing the Netherlands at the World Cup.
Carrick declined to discuss whether surgery might be required, saying: "I don't want to get into that at this stage. We'll try to do whatever we can to help him." The absence of De Ligt and fellow centre-back Lisandro Martinez has opened the door for Harry Maguire, whose form has sparked talk of an England recall and a potential contract extension at Old Trafford.
