London Marathon 2026: Sabastian Sawe, Tigst Assefa capable of record times in title defenses
London Marathon 2026: Sawe and Assefa could break records in title defenses!
Matthijs de Ligt is set to return from injury, providing Manchester United a boost in their Champions League campaign. He had a strong start to the season before his long-term absence.
Mentioned in this story
Matthijs de Ligt: Key injury update emerges on Man United star
Manchester United have received a boost in the hunt for Champions League football after an important update emerged from Carrington today on long-term absentee Matthijs de Ligt.
De Ligt enjoyed a superb start to the season at the heart of Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorimâs three-man defence, winning the clubâs Player of the Month award in November.
The 26-year-old centre-back was imperious, both in terms of performance and leadership, after a stop-start maiden campaign following his ÂŁ38.5 million switch from Bayern Munich in the summer of 2024.
However, a back injury has left the Netherlands international sidelined since November, with his last appearance coming in the 2-1 win over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park. Itâs little surprise the Red Devils would go on to win just two of their next eight games in the absence of their defensive juggernaut â a run which ultimately led to Amorimâs dismissal at the start of January.
De Ligt is yet to play, or even train, under interim boss Michael Carrick, who revealed last month that the medical team were being âpatientâ as back injuries are notoriously difficult to rehabilitate from.
Matthijs de Ligt is expected to return from his long-term injury, which is a significant update for Manchester United.
Before his injury, Matthijs de Ligt had a superb start to the season and was named Manchester United's Player of the Month in November.
De Ligt's return is seen as a boost for Manchester United in their pursuit of Champions League football.
London Marathon 2026: Sawe and Assefa could break records in title defenses!

El Den Bosch podrĂa beneficiarse al perder en la Ășltima jornada y asegurar un lugar en los playoffs de ascenso.
Tai Tuivasa will now face Louie Sutherland at UFC Perth on May 2nd.
Exeter City seeks to capitalize on momentum from a thrilling draw with Stockport County.
Jarrad Branthwaite unlikely to return this season due to hamstring injury.
Eddie Howe hints at a major overhaul for Newcastle United after a disappointing 14th place in the Premier League.
See every story in Sports â including breaking news and analysis.
But United released an update from Carrington this morning stating that De Ligt is âmaking progressâ and is now taking part in individual training on grass.
âManchester United defender Matthijs de Ligt is working hard on his rehabilitation, under the supervision of the clubâs medical staff,â the announcement on the club website reads.
âDe Ligt is working on the grass doing some individual trainingâŠand doing everything he can to return. [He] is focused on returning to full fitness, as of yet Michael Carrick has not disclosed a timescale when he is due to return to actionâ.â
Tweet: âMaking progress đâ
United need two wins from their remaining five games to secure a top-five finish â and the return to Europeâs elite competition that holy grail brings.
De Ligtâs return could prove decisive in this push, though the club will be mindful of not rushing a player who has not started a match in nearly five months.
The former Ajax captain will also have one eye on the World Cup in June, hoping to make the Dutch squadâs plane to North America.
Featured image Michael Regan via Getty Images
The Peoples Person has been one of the worldâs leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social