No word yet on when the Netherlands international will return to action but he will not be involved against Brentford
Manchester United have received an injury boost after Matthijs de Ligt stepped up his recovery from a back injury by starting training on grass.
The 26-year-old has not featured since helping United to their 2-1 win over Crystal Palace in November. He has yet to appear in a matchday squad under head coach Michael Carrick, who previously admitted there was no guarantee the defender would return before the end of the campaign, describing the issue as “proving difficult”.
United confirmed the Netherlands international has now resumed individual work outdoors. The club said: “De Ligt is working on the grass doing some individual training. The centre-back is working individually and doing everything he can to return.
“De Ligt is focused on returning to full fitness, as of yet Michael Carrick has not disclosed a timescale when he is due to return to action.”
He will not be involved when United face Brentford on Monday. There is better news in defence with Harry Maguire set to return from a two-match suspension, although Lisandro Martinez remains serving his suspension.
Leny Yoro, who missed the recent 1-0 win over Chelsea through injury, will be assessed ahead of the Brentford game, while Patrick Dorgu continues his recovery from a hamstring problem.
Carrick said: “To be honest, everything’s all right, as it was. Couple of knocks and niggles a little bit, coming out of the game, that you’d expect.
“Patrick’s working his way to being back, certainly making good progress and back closer to training with us, which is positive, so that’s good news.
“[Yoro], we’re still working on that one. So, there’s a possibility, there’s a possibility, but at this stage, it’s not 100 per cent sure.”
