MANCHESTER UNITED defender Matthijs de Ligt has kept a positive outlook during his three-month injury layoff.
De Ligt has set his sights on a return to action next month, hoping to boost Michael Carrick’s decisive push to secure Champions League next season.
The 26-year-old has missed the last 15 games due to a lower back problem sustained in United’s 2-1 win at Crystal Palace on November 30.
Former head coach Ruben Amorim initially promised a swift comeback, but the centre-back has yet to return to full first-team training.
SunSport understands that De Ligt suffered a minor setback last month, just as he appeared to be closing in on a return.
Although his return has stalled, the Netherlands international has managed to avoid surgery and is continuing his rehab with club medics at Carrington.
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Well-placed sources suggested that De Ligt has not hit the panic button, even though his long-term injury could jeopardise his place at the World Cup this summer.
After being overlooked in October, his stellar performances at club level forced his way back into Ronald Koeman’s plans for the November qualifiers.
De Ligt found himself left out of the squad throughout 2024, despite being a regular starter for United, as Koeman opted for other top centre-back options.
Koeman has Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk, Spurs leader Micky van de Ven, Brighton’s Jan Paul van Hecke and Inter Milan’s Stefan de Vrij at his disposal.
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City star Nathan Ake, 30, is also fighting for his spot after struggling for gametime at the Etihad and suffered a fresh injury blow when he twisted his knee at the Stadium of Light last month.
De Ligt is pushing for a return to help drive United’s final 12 game battle for a Champions League European spot.
With Premier League clubs dominating Europe‘s top three tournaments, England tops the UEFA coefficient rankings – meaning fifth place in the Prem will likely secure a top-tier spot.
United sit fourth in the table after Benjamin Sesko’s stoppage time equaliser rescued a point in the 1-1 draw at West Ham, keeping Carrick unbeaten in five.
Before he got the sack, Amorim was down to the bare bones at the back with both De Ligt and Harry Maguire sidelined.
Amorim had to start young guns Ayden Heaven, 19, and Leny Yoro, 20, as Lisandro Martinez was working his way back into the starting XI after an ACL tear in February 2024.
Martinez managed to start Amorim’s last three games, but Maguire did not make it back into the squad until the Burnley match under caretaker Darren Fletcher.
Both Martinez and Maguire have been instrumental in United’s last five matches, where the club have picked up 13 points from a possible 15.
Maguire was replaced by Yoro with 20 minutes to go at London Stadium but told journalists in the mixed zone that his hamstring “was all good”.
Meanwhile, Mason Mount is set to return for United’s next game at Everton on Monday 23 after a minor knock ruled him out of the last three matches.