Manchester United face another crunch week as club football returns after the international break, as pressure remains on manager Erik ten Hag.
United host Brentford at Old Trafford on Saturday in the Premier League, and Ten Hag desperately needs a victory to give himself breathing room and give his team a lift up the table from their current place in 14th, with only eight points collected from seven games.
The comes a Europa League trip to Fenerbahce, where Jose Mourinho’s Turkish giants are bound to put up a fierce fight, before next Sunday’s trip to West Ham United.
But Ten Hag could be without some important players in his bid to steady a stumbling campaign. Here is a round-up of Manchester United’s injury concerns.
Rasmus Hojlund
The striker missed a training session with Denmark earlier this week as a precaution, but is expected to be available for the weekend.
Alejandro Garnacho
The winger pulled out of international duty with Argentina citing a knee injury, but it is thought to be only a minor concern and there is hope he will be available for Brentford.
“I had knee problems in the last two games and I won’t be able to be with the national team,” he wrote on Instagram. “But I hope to recover so I can be on the next date.”
Amad Diallo
Amad also withdrew from international duty after falling ill and did not represent the Ivory Coast this week. He is expected to have recovered in time to play Brentford.
Kobbie Mainoo
The midfielder was substituted during the defeat by Tottenham last month with a tightness in his hamstring, and although he returned to the side to take on Aston Villa before the international break, he was again brought off early with apparent discomfort.
Rumours of a four-week layoff have not been confirmed but Ten Hag will have more information at Friday’s press conference.
Noussair Mazraoui
Mazraoui has impressed in the early stage of his United career, but the right-back is now out for a few weeks after undergoing a minor heart procedure last week.
A Manchester United statement read: “This is a relatively common condition and Noussair is expected to make a full recovery and be available for selection within the next few weeks.”
Mason Mount
Mount is yet to return to action after leaving the field against Tottenham last month with a head injury. He had stitches on the wound and was cleared of any concussion, but it has not been confirmed when he will return.
Harry Maguire
Maguire’s season has been disrupted by injuries and he picked up another against Aston Villa before the international break, limping off with pain in his foot. He is expected to be out until late November.
Posting on Instagram, Maguire said: “Frustrated to pick up an injury at the weekend, will be a few weeks on the sidelines for me but I’ll come back stronger.”
Luke Shaw
The full-back’s injury troubles have continued this season but he could be back later this month after progress from his calf strain.
Leny Yoro
The big-money signing is not expected to be fit until November after fracturing a foot bone. “Yes, he is doing very well,” Ten Hag said last month. “It is very pleasing that his rehab is going in the right direction and I expect him soon, but what I mean by soon, is that he is now in the right planning process.
“He is in the right spot and he will return as soon as possible into the squad and then the team training.”
Tyrell Malacia
The full-back missed the entire 2023-24 season with a knee injury, but he was named in United’s Europa League group stage squad to suggest a return is imminent. However, Malacia has still not featured in team training so November is a likely return.
