De Ligt (back) is believed to have featured in Manchester United's friendly against Lausanne Sport on Friday, a key test in the final stage of his recovery to determine whether he can return to the squad against Tottenham on Oct. 10, Steven Railston of the Manchester Evening News reports.
Analysis:De Ligt was left out of the club's coverage of the Lausanne Sport friendly, with no mention or photo of him, which fits with Manchester United not wanting to raise expectations as he reaches the end of his recovery from back surgery. His likely involvement represents the final stage of that process, with the match serving as a test of whether he could play without pain. If he came through it, he could be an option for the bench against Tottenham on Oct. 10, though he will still need a few weeks to get up to speed. He has not played since November 2025, having featured in every Premier League minute last season before the injury.
