Man Utd injury crisis: The players Erik ten Hag is missing

The 2023/24 season is just two months but already Manchester United are nursing several injuries threatening to hamper their continued progress under Erik ten Hag.

The Red Devils have been hit particularly hard in defence, with their long list of absences occasionally forcing Ten Hag to deploy Harry Maguire and Jonny Evans as a centre-back partnership. That's not exactly a union conducive to sustained success at the highest level.

Nevertheless, there's hope that United will get healthier after the October international break. While the manager will still be without his two favoured left-backs, Ten Hag could be bolstered in other areas. Moreover, there are no concerns regarding Casemiro's status after he was pictured in training ahead of Brazil's clash with Uruguay.

Here's a round-up of United's injury crisis.

Luke Shaw

Injury: Muscle
When: Training - between 21/25 August
Out: No time frame, but potentially on either side of the November international break

Luke Shaw only reached 40 appearances in one of his first six United seasons, yet played nearly 50 times in two of the last three campaigns. With injury problems seemingly behind him, that makes it all the more disappointing to have suffered a setback now.

The left-back has been out of action since late August after picking up a leg muscle injury in training. Shaw was expected to be missing for approximately ten weeks and Ten Hag hasn't given an update regarding his return.

Raphael Varane

Injury: "Minor issue"
When: Training - 2/7 October
Out: Should be back for the trip to Sheffield United

United's defensive injury woes have plagued them throughout 2023/24 thus far, with Varane missing plenty of game time due to various knocks.

The Frenchman missed United's dramatic 2-1 victory over Brentford before the break with what the manager described as a "minor issue". Thus, Varane isn't expected to miss any more time as a result of the knock. He should be fit for the trip to Sheffield United.

Lisandro Martinez

Injury: Foot
When: vs Arsenal - 3 September
Out: Until the end of 2023

Martinez was a major factor in United's improvement under Ten Hag last season, but the Dutchman will be without his star defender for an "extended period".

It's believed the defender aggravated the foot injury he sustained in April during the Red Devils' defeat at Arsenal before playing in subsequent matches against Brighton and Bayern Munich.

However, after playing through pain, it was determined that the defender would undergo a second operation on his foot and he's not expected to be back in action until the new year.

Tyrell Malacia

Injury: Knee
When: vs Fulham - 28 May
Out: Unknown when he could return

Tyrell Malacia would have been in a good position to get a run of games in the team as Luke Shaw's chief deputy, were he not already injured himself. The Dutchman hasn't featured at all since last season, missing the entire summer tour, and his absence hasn't exactly been explained very well by the club.

The left-back was believed to be closing in on a return to action in September, but Malacia has instead remained on the sidelines. Some suggest he might not be back until December.

Sergio Reguilon

Injury: Hamstring
When: vs Burnley - 23 September
Out: Could be fit for Sheffield United

Injuries to Shaw and Malacia forced United into the left-back market, and they came away with Tottenham Hotspur's Reguilon.

The Spaniard initially impressed on his first couple of outings, but a hamstring injury sustained in the 1-0 win over Burnley last month has forced Sofyan Amrabat into Ten Hag's defensive line. There was hope Reguilon would return before the break, but that wasn't the case.

However, given that he's had an extra two weeks rest, the defender is expected to play some part against Sheffield United.

Kobbie Mainoo

Injury: Ankle
When: vs Real Madrid (pre-season) - 26 July
Out: November after enduring setback

Home-grown 18-year-old Kobbie Mainoo took pre-season by storm and had fans drooling over the opportunities he might have when the Premier League campaign got underway. Sadly, all that positive momentum was halted by an injury early in a friendly against Real Madrid.

The teenager was believed to be recovering well and set to return after the international break, but he missed United's recent behind-closed-doors friendly with Barnsley having suffered a setback. Mainoo is now likely to make his comeback in November.

Amad Diallo

Injury: Knee
When: vs Arsenal (pre-season) - 3 August
Out: Closing in on a return to training

After an excellent loan spell at Sunderland last season, Amad Diallo had given himself a chance to make his mark back with United or try a loan at a higher level. But after an injury suffered during the summer tour, the Ivorian is yet to feature in 2023/24.

However, the winger teased his return on Instagram, captioning a story: “Just a little longer before returning." Thus, while Diallo may be a few weeks away from being considered by Ten Hag, his latest update is undoubtedly positive.

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