Michael Carrick has now broken his silence on Manchester United’s handling of long-term absentee Matthijs de Ligt ahead of the Bournemouth match on Friday evening.
Matthijs de Ligt has not featured under Michael Carrick once since the Manchester United legend returned to Old Trafford as interim head coach in January.
The 26-year-old Dutch centre-back has missed 18 matches in a row across all competitions since his current injury setback at United last November.
De Ligt’s last appearance for the Red Devils came in United’s dramatic 2-1 comeback win over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park under Ruben Amorim in 2025.
READ MORE: Unlike Fernandes and Cunha, Paul Merson predicts Michael Carrick won’t start one Man Utd star vs Bournemouth
Matthijs de Ligt and Lisandro Martinez arrive ahead of a first-team Manchester United training session at the Carrington training complex in 2025 in Manchester, England.
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
Casemiro is the last Man Utd player to score a winner away vs Bournemouth
Do you think Casemiro has MORE goals to come this season?
AFC Bournemouth v Manchester United - Premier League
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
Michael Carrick opens up on Matthijs de Ligt’s injury ahead of the Man Utd star missing the Bournemouth match
Matthijs de Ligt will remain sidelined for Friday evening’s visit to the Vitality Stadium for Manchester United’s Premier League encounter with Bournemouth.
The Bournemouth match will be the Red Devils’ final Premier League clash until 13th April against Leeds United due to the forthcoming March international break.
More United News
Speaking at his pre-match press conference on Friday, Michael Carrick believes that “balance” is now needed with addressing the situation around United star De Ligt.
“It’s like any injury,” he said, as per Manchester United’s official website.
“It’s trying to get the balance right. Some are a little bit more straightforward than others. Yeah, it’s kind of it is what it is, really.
“Hopefully, listen, he’s improving. It’s not improving as quickly as we all hope, but we’ll see how it goes.”
READ MORE:Gary Lineker’s new Man Utd prediction reveals ‘brilliant’ tactical change that fully rescued their season
Will Man Utd WIN away vs Bournemouth? How confident are you feeling?
We have a mixed record on the road at Bournemouth…
Utd at Bournemouth
Getty Images
Man Utd interim boss Michael Carrick responds to a question about Matthijs de Ligt requiring surgery for his injury
De Ligt has not returned to United first-team training since his 2025 injury setback and Carrick has been cryptic about a return date for the Netherlands international.
The former Ajax and Bayern Munich defender is believed to have a persistent lower-back issue amid his ongoing rehabilitation programme at the Red Devils.
Carrick was asked whether or not De Ligt could require surgery on his injury and the 44-year-old United legend is keen to avoid that ‘last resort’ measure for the player.
“I don’t want to get into that at this stage,” he said.
“I think we’ll obviously try to do whatever we can to help Matta, I think, and help get him back and kind of whatever that takes.
“So, we’re working through that now at the moment, to be honest, and will see.
“But hopefully he’ll be back sooner rather than later and everything will be fine and we can move on.”
Bournemouth will host third-place Man Utd at the Vitality Stadium on Friday evening and kick-off for the Premier League clash is slated for 8pm in the UK.
Join Our Newsletter
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox