Manchester United head coach Michael Carrick has admitted he cannot guarantee Matthijs de Ligt will play again this season, as the defender’s persistent back problem continues to defy medical expectations.

De Ligt has not featured since a 2-1 win over Crystal Palace, when what was initially viewed as a minor issue forced him off the pitch. Club staff first believed the problem would keep him out only briefly, but the Netherlands international has now been sidelined for close to four months, with no clear return date in sight.

The centre back had been an ever present in the Premier League before the setback, starting all 13 of United’s opening league fixtures under former manager Ruben Amorim and quickly establishing himself as a cornerstone of the defence. His absence has forced Carrick to reshuffle his back line and lean heavily on alternative options during a crucial phase of the campaign.

With only eight league games remaining, the prospect that De Ligt may not feature again before the end of the season is becoming increasingly real. Asked whether the defender could be ruled out for the run in, Carrick stressed the uncertainty surrounding back injuries and the club’s reluctance to rush him.

Carrick explained that De Ligt’s recovery has been unpredictable, with periods of apparent progress followed by setbacks that have prevented him from rejoining full training. The medical team is treading carefully, aware that any attempt to accelerate his return could aggravate the problem and jeopardise his long term fitness.

The length of the layoff has also prompted questions over whether surgery might be required. Carrick declined to go into detail about the options being discussed, saying only that United will do whatever is necessary to ensure the defender makes a complete recovery.

Beyond United’s immediate concerns, De Ligt is also battling the calendar as he tries to prove his fitness ahead of this summer’s World Cup. He has yet to resume team training, leaving both club and country monitoring his situation closely.

For now, Carrick is preaching patience. United will continue to manage De Ligt’s workload conservatively, hoping that a cautious approach will eventually allow one of their most important players to return without risking further damage.