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.
Kobbie Mainoo
United have confirmed midfielder Kobbie Mainoo will be out for a “few weeks” with a muscle injury.
The England international suffered the problem during United’s 0-0 draw with Aston Villa before the international break, which he was subsequently ruled out of.
United have now revealed he will be out number of weeks.
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.
Noussair Mazraoui
Mazraoui has impressed in the early stage of his United career, but the right-back underwent a minor precautionary heart procedure last week after experiencing palpitations in the goalless draw with Aston Villa before the international break
He was expected to be out for a few weeks with an initial Manchester United statement reading: “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.”
However, he has already been pictured back in training this week and Ten Hag confirmed the defender would be available to face Brentford in his Friday press conference.
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.
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.
Predicted Man Utd XI: Onana; Mazraoui, De Ligt, Martinez, Dalot; Casemiro, Eriksen; Garnacho, Fernandes, Rashford; Hojlund
Predicted Brentford XI: Flekken; Van den Berg, Collins, Pinnock, Ajer; Janelt, Norgaard; Mbeumo, Damsgaard, Lewis-Potter; Schade