Manchester United have announced the return of Matthijs deLigt to their squad for the next match against Atletico Madrid. The Dutch defender, 27 years old, returns after more than ten months of absence, caused by a back injury that kept him away from the pitch. The call-up marks his first involvement with Sir Alex Ferguson's side since 30 November 2025, the date of the last league match he played in against Crystal Palace.
Coach MichaelCarrick expressed his satisfaction with the midfielder's return. “I'm definitely happy to let him play,” Carrick said, adding that the decision was made after a careful evaluation of DeLigt's physical condition. “There's always the question of when is the right time and how much can he play,” he explained. “He had some time in the friendly against Lausanne and trained a lot, but we are progressing step by step with his physical growth and his form.”
DeLigt has already had a brief taste of the game in a friendly against Lausanne, where he showed a good level of recovery. The coach stressed that continuous assessment is crucial to ensure the player is ready for the high-level competition that awaits him against Atletico Madrid. The defender's return is seen as an important step for the team as they look to consolidate their defense after a series of injuries.
From an international perspective, the midfielder last played for the Dutch national team on November 17, 2025, during a World Cup qualifier against Lithuania. With 52 international caps, DeLigt has been a key element for the Netherlands in recent years, contributing to both defense and attack with his ability to recover and distribute.
Manchester United is now preparing to take advantage of DeLigt's return for the match against Atletico Madrid. The team hopes that the defender can get back into shape and contribute to the club's success at this crucial stage of the season. The next match represents an opportunity to test the player's full recoverability and to evaluate his impact on the final result.