Michael Carrick has offered positive updates on Matthijs de Ligt as Manchester United continue to manage the defender’s return from a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
De Ligt has been working his way back into contention and Michael Carrick suggested the Netherlands international is now getting closer to a return.
“Yeah, we’ll have to see. It’s positive. Matta has trained really well and still managing,” Carrick said.
The United boss explained that the final stage of a comeback can be just as important as the work done earlier in the rehabilitation process, with the club keen not to rush De Ligt back.
“When you’re out for such a long period of time and you get right to the final stages and you’re pushing, you’re pushing, you know, you’ve got to manage that last stage, it’s important.”
Carrick added that De Ligt is “on a good track” and in a good place, although no specific return date has been given.
Carrick explains Luke Shaw absence
There was also an update on Luke Shaw after the left-back missed training ahead of United’s next fixture.
Luke Shaw has faced plenty of scrutiny during the opening weeks of the season. Still, Carrick insisted his absence was simply part of the normal recovery process rather than a fresh concern.
“Yeah, we just gave him an extra recovery day today, Luke,” he said.
“So, obviously we’ll see by tomorrow how he is, but it’s not an ongoing thing or a plan or anything like that.”
Carrick said the decision was made after the previous game, with players managed differently depending on their individual needs.
Although any injury concern for Luke Shaw would be massive bad news for Manchester United, Michael Carrick’s words suggest that having both De Ligt and Shaw nearing full fitness will be good news as the schedule intensifies.
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