Carrick hints at De Ligt being out for the season! Maguire raises contract renewal demands, United must accept

The possibility of De Ligt missing the rest of the season is steadily growing. After his back injury on November 30 last year, United originally anticipated a one-week absence. Yet, with delays week after week, his time out will definitely surpass four months.

It is truly remarkable that before getting injured, De Ligt was the team's top iron man, playing every minute without absence. This stark contrast makes the situation even more frustrating. This Friday, as United visit Bournemouth, De Ligt will definitely be unavailable. Following that, the team enters a 24-day international break, with seven more matches in April and May. Can De Ligt still return?

Addressing this question, manager Carrick shifted from his previous "he'll be back soon" stance, hinting that the 26-year-old Dutch defender might not feature again this season. "Will Matthijs (De Ligt) play again this season? It's hard to say, as it's been a long time now," Carrick replied. "I really can't share more details. Back injuries are like that—sometimes you think it's fine, then suddenly you realize the situation isn't good."

Regarding De Ligt's injury, Carrick stated: "We can only wait patiently now, handle it step by step, and see later. We will certainly give him time and try to get him back as soon as possible, but it's truly hard to predict. I'm not trying to hide anything; honestly, we don't know yet (when he'll return), so we have to proceed cautiously. Like other injuries, the key is finding the right balance. Some injuries are simpler to treat, others more complex."

Finally, Carrick seemed to recall his usual line and returned to it. "That's it, Matthijs is improving. It's not as fast as we hoped, but we'll see how it goes."

When asked if De Ligt might need surgery, the United manager gave no clear answer: "At this stage, I don't want to discuss that. I can only say we'll do everything to help Matthijs. I believe the key is returning to training and progressing step by step. We're working towards that goal now, hoping he can come back soon, everything will be fine, and we can move forward."

Fans haven't felt the impact of De Ligt's absence because veteran Maguire has filled the defensive gap, starting in all nine matches under Carrick's management. The 33-year-old Maguire is entering the final three months of his contract, and United are currently negotiating a renewal with him.

Maguire's current weekly wage is £190,000. Given his strong performances and United's personnel situation, The Sun reports that his agent has raised the renewal terms, rejecting United's demand to reduce his salary to below £100,000 per week. Their argument is hard to refute: Maguire's contribution is greater than De Ligt's (£195,000 per week), so why should his income drop to only half of his teammate's? Should wages be based on age rather than performance?

This week, Maguire is expected to return to the England squad managed by Tuchel, with the list announced Friday morning local time. If he plays in the World Cup, Maguire—who could move as a free agent—will have plenty of options, so he won't simply comply with United's demands. Maguire is not in a weak position in renewal talks; instead, he may currently hold the advantage.

On Maguire's future, Carrick explained: "Obviously, everyone is discussing the squad at the end of the season and what it will look like afterward. Harry (Maguire) has made a huge contribution for us, and I think that's clear. He has significantly impacted our results; what happens next, we'll have to wait and see. I enjoy working with him, and I believe he has contributed greatly to the club. We'll see."