Manchester United’s 2023/24 campaign was derailed by constant injuries and fitness issues are already plaguing the Red Devils just a week into the new season.
Erik ten Hag was without many players for his side’s Premier League opener against Fulham and there has been little improvement ahead of Saturday’s lunchtime clash with Brighton & Hove Albion.
Man Utd are desperate to start the campaign with two wins on the bounce, but there are a number of players who will be unavailable for the trip south this weekend.
Defense is where Man Utd are at their lightest, a theme they got used to last season. At the moment, three players are guaranteed to miss the trip to Brighton, with left-back Luke Shaw one of them The injury-prone 29-year-old now has a calf problem that will keep him out until after the international break in September.
Tyrell Malacia he is also out after missing all of last season and is not expected to return in the near future as he signs for the summer Lenny Yoro he will miss the next few months after suffering a foot injury during a pre-season friendly. The £52m man could return in November.
Victor Lindelof he is also a doubt for Saturday’s game. Recently photographed on crutches, it is still unclear when the Swede will be available.
Man Utd have good health in midfield which will be a major relief for Ten Hag after their problems in the center of the park last season. Kobbie Mainoo and Casemiro are likely to start at the base of midfield against Brighton, with Bruno Fernandes in a more advanced role.
However, Man Utd found themselves without Jadon Sancho for the first game of the season. The wide midfielder has been consistently linked with a move away from Old Trafford, but Ten Hag have revealed it was an ear infection that kept him out of the squad against Fulham. Should be back this weekend.
Rasmus Hojlund He had fitness issues last season and they haven’t gone away this season. Denmark’s towering centre-forward picked up a hamstring injury during a pre-season defeat to Arsenal in the United States and is now out until mid-September.
Fernandes played against Fulham as a result, but Joshua Zirkzee is expected to start this weekend. The Dutch summer signing scored the winning goal against the Cottagers from the bench on his debut.
|
player |
injury |
state |
|---|---|---|
|
Luke Shaw |
calf |
outside |
|
Tyrell Malacia |
knee |
outside |
|
Lenny Yoro |
foot |
outside |
|
Victor Lindelof |
unknown |
Doubtful |
|
Rasmus Hojlund |
hamstring |
outside |
