anchester United have another new injury issue to contend with ahead of Sunday’s clash with Aston Villa.
Erik ten Hag’s defensive crisis worsened before a deflating 2-2 draw at Tottenham on Thursday night in which the Red Devils threw away a two-goal first-half lead.
Harry Maguire was absent from the matchday squad altogether in north London, joining fellow centre-backs Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane on the sidelines as Luke Shaw once again partnered Victor Lindelof in the middle.
The England defender joins an extensive injury list at Old Trafford that also includes the likes of Alejandro Garnacho, Scott McTominay, Donny van de Beek and others, though Bruno Fernandes recovered to play the full 90 minutes at Spurs.
Here is the latest update of Manchester United injuries and potential return dates…
Harry Maguire
Maguire did not play in the FA Cup semi-final win over Brighton on Sunday due to suspension, but was also absent against Tottenham on Thursday despite that ban having ended.
Ten Hag confirmed before the latter game that the oft-maligned club captain had suffered a knock at Carrington earlier this week.
“[It is a] training injury,” he said. “It’s a training injury. But we have proved we can sort it out. And I’m convinced we can do it today as well.”
Despite the criticism he faces, Maguire is one of only two natural fit senior centre-backs available to United, who will hope he returns to the squad at home to Villa on Sunday. If not, then perhaps the latest clash with Brighton down on the south coast next Thursday.
Raphael Varane
Varane aggravated an ankle injury during United’s Europa League quarter-final first-leg draw with Sevilla earlier this month and an initial time frame was not put on his return.
However, there were subsequent fears that the Frenchman could sit out the remainder of the campaign. Ten Hag has since confirmed that he is hoping to have Varane fit for the FA Cup final showdown with Manchester City at Wembley on June 3.
“Yeah, Varane for the cup final, he can return,” the Dutchman said.
Lisandro Martinez
Like Varane, fellow first-choice centre-back Martinez was injured during that first leg against Sevilla, carried off the pitch with a serious-looking foot issue.
Despite Ten Hag initially holding some optimism that he might return this term, it later transpired that the influential Argentine World Cup winner had suffered a fractured metatarsal and was indeed done for the campaign.
Martinez later underwent successful surgery and it is hoped that he will be ready for the start of pre-season in the summer. A huge loss for United in the short-term, though.
Alejandro Garnacho
Martinez’s compatriot has not played since the goalless Premier League draw with Southampton on March 12, when he suffered an ankle injury following a challenge from Kyle Walker-Peters.
He was subsequently placed on crutches and ruled out for several weeks as an angry Ten Hag described the problem as “serious”.
It later emerged that he had damaged ligaments. Garnacho has been on the road to recovery since, stepping up his return bid of late by getting his boots back on at Carrington.
The 18-year-old should still be back before the end of the season, though it’s not yet known exactly when. After Villa and Brighton, United face West Ham, Wolves, Bournemouth, Chelsea and Fulham before the FA Cup final.
Scott McTominay
McTominay’s absence is something of an ongoing mystery, with it still not being publicly disclosed exactly what his injury is.
The versatile midfielder was enjoying a scoring burst after back-to-back braces for Scotland during the last international break and also netting for United against Everton on April 8, but he has not featured at all since that game.
“Scott, we have to wait a little bit longer, I fear,” Ten Hag said before the trip to Spurs this week.
“But I am sure they are all motivated to be back as soon as possible as we play a lot of ‘finals’, huge games and, in the end, we know what is going on then.”
Villa seems unlikely then, though perhaps he will have proved his fitness in time for the journey down to Brighton.
Donny van de Beek
Like Martinez, Van de Beek will not play again for United this season. The Dutch midfielder suffered a serious knee injury against Bournemouth in January and was quickly ruled out for the remainder of 2022-23, possibly ending his time at the club altogether with a potential summer exit on the cards.
If he stays, Van de Beek is expected to be fully fit for the start of pre-season training.
“Of course, the bad news is he is out for the rest of the season, but the good news is, in the long-term, his knee will be okay, and he will be ready to play at the highest levels for the start of pre-season,” Ten Hag said back in January.
Tom Heaton
David de Gea’s experienced deputy has been absent for a month now with an ankle issue sustained prior to the last international break.
Jack Butland has since been providing the main source of back-up to the Spaniard. Heaton’s potential return date is unknown, but it is not an injury that is causing United too many issues at present, bar something happening to either De Gea or Butland, when Nathan Bishop would have to step up with Dean Henderson out on loan at Nottingham Forest (and currently out injured himself).
Phil Jones
Phil Jones’ chances of ever playing for United again now seem extremely remote. Despite United’s ongoing centre-back crisis, he has not been involved due to an ongoing knee injury.
The desperately unfortunate Jones has not played at all since last May after a surprise five-game run under Ralf Rangnick and is not in United’s 25-man Premier League squad, with his contract due to expire in the summer.
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