Manchester United and Dutch defender Matthijs de Ligt sidelined from World Cup following back operation

The Manchester United player is anticipated to remain unavailable until the start of the following season.

"Matthijs de Ligt has had a successful operation to treat a back problem," the club stated in an announcement on Friday.

"After dedicated efforts during his recovery journey, the choice was taken to proceed with a surgical intervention as the most suitable path forward."

De Ligt had enjoyed a solid beginning to the current campaign, appearing in all 13 of Uniteds opening Premier League fixtures before the issue interrupted his involvement.

"From November, I have exhausted every possibility, training with full commitment and testing all treatments, to resume what I cherish most, playing the game," remarked the previous Juventus and Bayern Munich defender.

"I am thankful to all who stood by me during this tough chapter in my professional path.

"My commitment to wearing the Manchester United colours and entertaining our remarkable fans stays as strong as ever, with the goal of returning at the soonest feasible time."