Manchester United’s pre-season tour of the United States has been punctuated by injuries to key players, including the summer’s headline signing Leny Yoro.
The season has not yet officially begun, but Manchester United’s injury woes certainly have.
If injuries to striker Rasmus Hojlund and marquee summer signing Leny Yoro in the friendly defeat to Arsenal weren’t cause for concern already, Erik ten Hag’s troubles were compounded by the end of United’s pre-season win against Real Betis.
The Dutch boss was handed another double injury as both Marcus Rashford and Antony came off with respective knocks, lifting the tally of United’s injured players to four.
The increasing band of injuries will be a cruel reminder to Ten Hag, who was forced to navigate a mercurial campaign last season interminably blighted by injuries to key players. Luke Shaw, Tyrell Malacia, Harry Magire, Lisandro Martinez and Mason Mount were among those who endured lengthy periods of absence, while Ten Hag was forced to field 14 different centre-back partnerships.
United expect Yoro, 18, to miss around three months with a foot injury, though ongoing assessment will be required to determine an appropriate return for the centre-back.
An initial scan, undertaken in the 24 hours after Yoro sustained the injury against Arsenal, showed a fracture of a fifth metatarsal.
Hojlund, 21, is expected to be out for six weeks with a hamstring injury, which likely rules the Denmark international out of selection for Ten Hag until after the first international break in September.
Rashford was forced off just before the hour with what looked like a serious ankle injury after Real Betis midfielder Sergi Altimira trod on his right foot. The striker was down for several minutes. It’s the latest tribulation to afflict the 26-year-old, who endured a miserable return last season with just eight goals scored.
Before his withdrawal, Rashford looked sharp, scoring from the penalty spot and assisting the winner for Casemiro. With Hojlund expected to be out for a stint, injury to Rashford would represent a major blow to United’s attack.
To exacerbate matters, winger Antony joined Rashford in hobbling out of the game, after just 23 minutes on the pitch as a second-half substitute.
The Brazilian cut a figure of frustration as he ripped off his wrist tape and stalked down the tunnel alongside a team physio. It is unclear the extent of Antony’s injury as it was not sustained through impact like Rashford’s.
United face Manchester City in this season’s Community Shield at Wembley on August 10 before starting their Premier League campaign at home to Fulham six days later, meaning the club could yet need to dip back into the transfer market to bolster their ranks which are looking dangerously thin before the season has begun.
Credit: Mirror
