Matthijs De Ligt injury latest: Manchester United hope for boost as Ruben Amorim explains rotation policy | OneFootball

The Red Devils have leaked goals in the defender’s two-game absence

Manchester United are hopeful Matthijs De Ligt will be available for selection against Wolves on Boxing Day.

The 25-year-old has missed the Red Devils' last two games - against Tottenham in the Carabao Cup quarter-final and then the humiliating defeat at the hands of Bournemouth - because of illness.

In fact, by not featuring in the 3-0 loss at home to the Cherries, De Ligt saw his ever-present record in the Premier League this season go.

When delivering the latest Man Utd team news, Ruben Amorim mentioned the Dutchman, who, if is fit, would offer his manager a major selection boost considering the defence has conceded eight goals in his absence.

However, with Victor Lindelof, Luke Shaw and Mason Mount sidelined for the trip to Molineux, the Portuguese tactician has revealed why his hand will be forced with regard to squad rotation over the festive period.

"In this moment, it’s not rotation to see the players and prepare the future," he said in the pre-match press conference. "It’s simply to not have injuries.

“Matthijs is sick. Harry Maguire did 90 minutes against [Manchester] City and cannot play three days before because, in three months, he only did 90 minutes one time against City.

Hope: Matthijs De Ligt could hand Manchester United a major boost on Boxing Day.

Manchester United via Getty Imag

"So we have to rotate him during the week and today [Sunday] he is playing. Kobbie Mainoo played, he returned from injury, so I have to think if he’s ready to cope with both games so, sometimes, I have to play two games at the same moment.

“Rasmus [Hojlund] played two games, the third game today [Sunday] and I think we needed fresh legs.

"So we are trying to address everything. I just want to win games because I know that there’s a long-term project and we are focused on that.

“But I also know that in big clubs you don’t have a lot of time and you have to win games. So I have a clear idea of the responsibility I have here but I’m trying to manage this team to not have injuries.

"If we have injuries, it’s a massive problem in trying to win games and manage all the players, so I’m not rotating to see the future. I just want to win games and not have injuries. If we have injuries, it’s a big problem.”