De Ligt may be out for the rest of the season! Manchester United's renewal of Maguire is confirmed, likely forcing them to buy another center-back.

In the first half of the season, Manchester United center-back De Ligt was the team's top "iron man," missing no minutes of play and winning the club's November Player of the Month award. However, football changes rapidly. Since the match against Crystal Palace in late November last year, De Ligt has disappeared due to a mysterious back injury. Sources indicate that this 26-year-old Dutch defender may not return this season.

Former manager Ruben Amorín initially claimed De Ligt would only miss a week. "For Matthijs (De Ligt), it's just a minor injury," Amorín said at the pre-match press conference for United's game against West Ham. "I expect Matthijs to be available for the next match (away to Wolves)."

More than three months have passed, and Carrick has still not specified a return date for De Ligt. Almost every press conference, the United manager repeats the same message: De Ligt is progressing well, moving in the right direction, and will return soon… But what "soon" actually means remains a mystery to everyone.

The club emphasizes caution, not rushing De Ligt back to avoid future complications. Carrick confirmed that De Ligt's injury is indeed worse than initially expected. Now there are concerns whether his back can fully recover.

The UK's Daily Mail reports that De Ligt's injury is complex, and various signs suggest he may not return before the season ends. United have only nine games left this season, and Maguire's performance has been stable, so the absence of the Dutch defender is not a fatal blow.

"His back injury has clearly recurred multiple times, and it's serious. I believe he won't play again this season," said Nathan Salt of the Daily Mail. This may be his personal view, but it aligns with the reality.

This Wednesday, the 26-year-old De Ligt returned to Carrington training ground but did not join full team training; his return date remains uncertain. United expected De Ligt back in December, January, and February, but none materialized.

According to insiders, De Ligt has been training in the gym and rehabilitation room this week. It is said he is mentally tormented, experiencing "hellish agony." De Ligt has been close to returning several times but always faces setbacks, with the injury worsening repeatedly.

Moreover, United's troubles are compounded; not only De Ligt has such issues, his center-back partner Lisandro Martínez is facing a similar situation.

The 28-year-old Lisandro suffered a calf injury before the Everton match, originally said to miss only one game, but now may miss his fourth consecutive match, including the key home fixture against Aston Villa.

The Daily Mail states that United sources insist Lisandro's problem is not serious, just some minor adverse reactions during training, so the medical team decided on a more cautious recovery approach to avoid repeating De Ligt's ordeal.

Now, the urgency for United to renew the contract of 33-year-old veteran Harry Maguire has increased, as the club lacks funds to sign several new center-backs this summer. Sir Jim Ratcliffe might reduce Maguire's salary cut or agree to a two-year extension instead of one.

Maguire also suffered a thigh injury early in the season, even earlier than De Ligt, but he recovered sooner and has now surpassed De Ligt in appearances. Maguire has 18 appearances across all competitions with 2 goals, while De Ligt has 14 appearances with 1 goal.

If De Ligt and Lisandro cannot overcome their "glass" fragility, United not only need to renew Maguire but also must sign a new center-back. Tottenham's Van de Ven and Cristian Romero, Nottingham Forest's Murillo, among others, have been rumored targets.