Carrick: No Return Date Yet for De Ligt as United Prepare for Palace

• Dutch defender closing in on three months out with back injury
• Maguire seizes chance in defence as contract talks continue
• Sesko selection decision a “positive problem”

Michael Carrick has confirmed there is still no clear timeframe for Matthijs de Ligt’s return as the Manchester United defender approaches three months on the sidelines with a persistent back injury.

United host Crystal Palace at Old Trafford on Sunday, the reverse of the fixture that marked De Ligt’s last appearance – a 2-1 win at Selhurst Park on November 30. At the time, then head coach Ruben Amorim suggested the issue was minor, but the Dutch international has now missed 15 matches.

“Matthijs has had a back issue which has been a bit slow to progress,” Carrick said at his pre-match press conference on Friday. “It’s something we’ve been working through, he’s in the right direction but a bit further behind.

“It’s the nature of the injury. It’s a difficult one to pin down time-wise. He’s definitely improving.”

De Ligt’s absence has opened the door for Harry Maguire to re-establish himself at the heart of United’s defence. The England international, who turns 32 next month, is out of contract at the end of the season, with talks ongoing over a potential one-year extension.

“Within the squad there is that balance – you want younger potential and excitement, and you need that sweet spot with players at their peak and experience,” Carrick said. “It’s hard to put a price on how valuable that can be. Harry has gained an awful lot of experience with this club.”

Carrick also faces a selection dilemma in attack, with Benjamin Sesko making a major impact off the bench by scoring crucial goals against West Ham and Everton. Despite calls for the striker to start, the United boss insists it is a welcome headache.

“The whole thing is a real positive,” he said. “It’s certainly not a decision I look at in a negative way.

“We’re playing well as a team, the forwards have scored a good number of goals and Ben has been so good in so many ways. If he starts the next game or the one after, it is what it is – he’s doing so many good things.”