De Ligt's return date revealed! Not rushing for the World Cup but worried about losing his starting spot at Manchester United, focusing on securing a top-four finish

After sustaining a back injury in the 2-1 win against Crystal Palace on November 30, Manchester United center-back De Ligt has been sidelined for 15 games. While he has been out, the Red Devils have appointed their third manager! This extends the strange streak in the Dutch international’s career, where he faces a coaching change each season.

De Ligt has been in recovery for three months, yet British reports say he is maintaining a positive mindset. The UK’s The Sun states that De Ligt aims to return to the pitch next month. The 26-year-old will definitely miss the upcoming away game at Everton later this month, but he might make his comeback in the home match against Crystal Palace, returning to the site where he got injured.

Former Manchester United coach Ralf Rangnick initially claimed De Ligt would only miss one game, but one match turned into many, and De Ligt has yet to resume full training. Last month, there were rumors he was close to returning, but setbacks forced a delay in his comeback date.

Although his return has been delayed, De Ligt at least avoids surgery. He is currently receiving treatment and rehabilitation exercises at Carrington with the medical staff. Sources reveal that De Ligt is not worried about this injury affecting his chances of playing in this summer’s World Cup, as he was never a guaranteed starter for the Netherlands and is more likely to be a backup.

In October last year, De Ligt was even left out of the Dutch national team and has not represented his country throughout 2024. However, a month later, thanks to his consistent performances at Manchester United, De Ligt was reintegrated into Ronald Koeman’s plans. That same month, he was awarded Manchester United’s Player of the Month.

Nonetheless, Koeman has consistently preferred other Dutch center-backs such as Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk, Tottenham’s Eric Dier, Brighton’s Jan Paul van Hecke, and Inter Milan’s Stefan de Vrij. De Ligt’s situation is similar to Manchester City’s Nathan Aké, who is also sidelined with a knee injury.

Therefore, the World Cup is not an urgent priority for him. De Ligt’s main goal is to return quickly to help Manchester United through the final 10+ matches and secure a Champions League spot for next season. He earns a top weekly wage of £195,000 at United, a level of pay he wouldn’t get elsewhere, so he must work hard to maintain it. If De Ligt remains out long-term, the cost-conscious Manchester United owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe might consider offloading him.

Since Carrick took over as coach, Manchester United’s momentum has been strong, holding steady in fourth place in the Premier League. Additionally, England tops the UEFA coefficient rankings, meaning the team finishing fifth in the Premier League this season is very likely to qualify for next season’s Champions League. Achieving this target seems less difficult now.

What might truly worry De Ligt is his place in Manchester United’s starting lineup. Since his injury, the defensive pairing of Maguire and Lisandro Martinez has received praise, helping Carrick’s team earn 13 out of 15 points and solidify their fourth position in the league.

In the 1-1 draw against West Ham, Maguire was substituted 20 minutes early but told British media afterward that his hamstring was completely fine. The 32-year-old English defender trained normally this week and is expected to start again against Everton. Meanwhile, young talent Lenny Yaro, who came on as a substitute against West Ham and made a crucial interception, has also earned praise and is pushing hard to claim a starting spot.