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Matthijs de Ligt has signalled he is edging towards a return to the pitch after sharing photographs of himself in training. The Manchester United defender last featured in a match against Crystal Palace on 30th November and has been sidelined ever since.

Despite former boss Ruben Amorim initially indicating the Dutchman would miss just one fixture with a back injury, De Ligt has been absent for almost five months. However, the 26-year-old has taken a significant stride in his recovery, now participating in light individual training on the grass at Carrington, with United confirming the development on Friday.

The Netherlands international took to Instagram to herald his comeback by uploading several images of himself running and completing ball drills, accompanied by the caption: "Working hard, getting closer".

The post - which has already accumulated over 93,000 likes - has also drawn responses from his fellow squad members, with Lisandro Martinez writing: "Vamos Mata" alongside a flexed bicep emoji. Joshua Zirkzee posted a solitary crown emoji, while international colleague and Bournemouth star Justin Kluivert added a fire and praying hands emoji beneath De Ligt's post.

United's official statement on De Ligt's condition confirmed: "He is focused on returning to full fitness", though the club declined to provide any indication of when he might be expected to return to first-team action.

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Following United's visit to the Republic of Ireland for a training camp earlier this month, Carrick was quizzed about De Ligt's fitness after the Dutchman was absent from the travelling party. The interim boss clarified: "He's doing treatment and rehab. He didn't come [to Ireland] because he's not quite on the grass.

"Patrick Dorgu came because he's a little bit further on. Matthijs is not quite at that stage really, so it was important for him to continue his rehab and try to get him back. It's different treatment and exercises. He's not quite on the grass yet.

"That's the process you have to go through when you're injured. Sometimes it happens quicker for others.

"He's just working through that at the moment and we're trying to get him back."