Manchester United's Matthijs de Ligt out until next season after surgery on back injury

Manchester United defender Matthijs de Ligt has undergone surgery on a back injury which is set to sideline him until next season.The 26-year-old has made 14 appearances for United this season but has not played since a 2-1 victory over Crystal Palace in November.De Ligt’s surgery also rules him out of being selected as part of the Netherlands’ 2026 World Cup campaign. His last international appearance for Ronald Koeman’s side came in a World Cup qualifier against Lithuania on 17 November.Advertisement