New Netherlands manager Xavi has been in touch with Manchester United and their defender Matthijs de Ligt, hoping to have the player available again soon after a difficult period of recovery. De Ligt, who plays as a center-back, has not played since November 2025 due to a back injury. However, he has recently returned to training and is now close to making a comeback. In May, De Ligt underwent surgery after months of treatment, and he shared his feelings on social media at the time, expressing disappointment at not being able to help his team over the past six months and missing out on the World Cup. He also said he was looking forward to returning to the field and playing in front of fans. Although De Ligt is not yet fully fit, he is expected to be available when Manchester United return from their current international break. Xavi, the Netherlands manager, has not yet had De Ligt at his disposal, but he has made it clear that he sees the defender as a key player for the future. Speaking ahead of Nations League matches against Germany, Serbia, and Greece, Xavi said, "Yes, we're in touch with him and Manchester United. He’s been through a tough time. I’ve also been in touch with Frenkie de Jong and Xavi Simons recently. We need all our players, especially these guys." He added, "He’s doing well. We are checking how they are. We want to check because we need all the players. In this case, De Ligt is an important player. He could be important in the future." Manchester United manager Michael Carrick has not officially confirmed whether De Ligt will be available for the team’s upcoming match against Tottenham on October 10, but he is hopeful. After the 1-1 draw at Fulham, Carrick provided injury updates on several players, telling MUTV, "It was good to have Carlos [Baleba] today. Amad [Diallo], hopefully by the time we get back, he will have trained with the group. That's a positive. Matta [De Ligt] is working towards his fitness as well." This suggests that De Ligt is continuing his recovery and may be close to returning to action soon. The situation highlights the importance of key players like De Ligt for both club and country. As he continues his rehabilitation, the hope is that he will soon be back on the pitch, contributing to both Manchester United and the Netherlands national team. For now, the focus remains on his recovery and the possibility of his return to competitive play.