Maria Thorisdottir to miss remainder of 2022/23 through injury
Manchester United defender Maria Thorisdottir has been ruled out of action for the rest of the 2022/23 season through injury and will also miss the 2023 Women's World Cup with Norway.
Thorisdottir suffered the mid-foot problem during the recent FA Cup win over Lewes, a game in which she impressed at the historic Dripping Pan.
But the versatile Norwegian was withdrawn a little more than an hour into the contest. She was ruled out of the weekend’s WSL clash with West Ham at Old Trafford and both club and player have now confirmed that ‘Thor’ won’t play again before the end of the season.
"Just like that, the season is over for me," she said. "It breaks my heart that im not available for the World Cup this summer.
“I’ve been knocked down many times before, and I will again bounce back even stronger and better than ever. Tough times don’t last, but tough people do. See you next season, Reds.”
The 29-year-old, who won two WSL titles with Chelsea before joining United in January 2021, is out of contract this coming summer but there is an option for the club to extend until 2024.
United also lost January signing and fellow Norwegian international Lisa Naalsund in the first half hour of the game against Lewes, a bitter blow considering it was her long-awaited debut after effectively doing a mini-pre-season upon her arrival due to not playing since early November.
The club has not confirmed any timeframe for Naalsund’s recovery, but reports in her native Norway have suggested around eight weeks. That could see her just return for the end of the season.
How costly is Maria Thorisdottir’s injury for Man Utd?
Having been a regular WSL starter in the centre of defence last season, Thorisdottir has largely been a back-up at United in 2022/23 due to Millie Turner’s recovery from a major health scare and the summer arrival of Maya Le Tissier.
Even so, the former Chelsea player has still had an important cover role. She filled in at left-back during Ona Batlle’s concussion absence earlier in the season and earned the praise of manager Marc Skinner for her performance away at Everton in particular. Prior to getting injured at Lewes, she had also made a big block in that game to stop United conceding a surprise early goal.
It doesn’t change much in terms of United’s strongest XI, but it does impact cover should there be any injuries or suspensions in the final stretch of the season.
January signing Jayde Riviere reaching full fitness has therefore come at a crucial time for the club. The Canadian, who is expected to become a starter in the longer-term, can play at right-back and left-back and will now replace Thorisdottir as the first point of cover in both positions.
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