One of Manchester United’s top stars’ international break is already over, and he barely played.
Manchester United have experienced the frustrations of players returning injured from the international breaks, Raphael Varane and Anthony Martial spring to mind.
So generally speaking, it is actually good news when a player is not selected, or barely plays at all for their country. It reduces the injury risk, and the usual wear and tear.
The 2025/26 season is slightly different. Manchester United have no European football, and there is an argument to be made that a little extra game time during the internationals can help the players develop their sharpness.
This was an opportunity barely afforded to Matthijs de Ligt during the recent international break.
Matthijs de Ligt and Micky van de Ven in Netherlands tracksuits
Photo by Ben Gal/BSR Agency/Getty Images
Matthijs de Ligt snubbed, twice
Matthijs de Ligt made his international debut for the Netherlands as a teenager, but under current boss Ronald Koeman, he is regarded only as a back-up.
When the Netherlands hosted Poland at the end of last week, Koeman selected Virgil van Dijk and Brighton defender Jan Paul van Hecke.
Micky van de Ven was picked at left-back, and when Van Hecke was substituted late on, Stefan de Vrij was called off the bench.
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De Ligt was an unused substitute, with it made very clear where he ranks in Koeman’s plans.
In Sunday night’s game against Lithuania, Van Dijk and De Vrij were named as Netherlands’ starters.
De Ligt was called off the bench as a substitute in the 88th minute, only after Van de Ven and Jurrien Timber had been called on in the 62nd minute.
The Manchester United defender still managed to make four clearances as he helped Netherlands secure a 3-2 away victory.
But that was as far as his international break went. A total of two minutes in two matches.
De Ligt now returns to Carrington
The good news is Matthijs de Ligt now returns to Carrington, with a rest, and also with a bit of a point to prove.
The Dutch centre-back now gets a full week to prepare for Manchester United’s next game, the derby away at Manchester City.
De Ligt has started all three Premier League games for United so far in 2025/26, and is expected to start at The Etihad.
A player whose role is less certain is De Ligt’s compatriot, Joshua Zirkzee.
Zirkzee was not even called up by Koeman for the Dutch international squad, and has had extra time to train back in Manchester.
He has a chance to start the derby with both Matheus Cunha and Mason Mount picking up knocks in the win over Burnley.