Matthijs de Ligt returned to Manchester United's starting lineup against Como on 30 November 2025, ending an eleven-month absence that kept him out for thirty matches. It is an important step for United, who have had to manage without one of their defensive options for a long stretch.
De Ligt's comeback came in a live Champions League blog that was tracking several matches on the same evening. The defender's return also added to the familiar Ajax link in the United squad, with Noussair Mazraoui and Joshua Zirkzee involved alongside him.
Why De Ligt's return matters
The context is straightforward: De Ligt had not started since 30 November 2025 before this match, and his absence was linked to back complaints. After nearly a year away from the starting XI, simply having him available again changes the picture for Manchester United.
For a club managing a busy campaign, the return of a senior defender is more than a line in a team sheet. It gives United another recognised option at the back and reduces the strain on the rest of the defensive group.
United's Ajax connections were clear again
Manchester United's lineup also underlined how many former Ajax players are in the squad. De Ligt, Mazraoui and Zirkzee all featured in the broader match context, which gives United a strong Dutch connection in a high-profile European setting.
That is part of the interest around this team on nights like this. The lineup is not just about one player returning; it is also about how these individual threads come together in a squad built around familiar relationships and experience.
What comes next
The bigger question now is whether De Ligt can build on this return and stay fit after such a long spell out. If he can, Manchester United will feel the benefit quickly. If not, they will once again be forced to adjust around a defender whose availability has been limited for too long.
