Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has issued an injury update on two key players per Fabrizio Romano as the club continues to be affected by a significant injury crisis.
Erik ten Hag Provides Injury Update on Man Utd Key Players
Unavailable Players Continue to Stifle Manager’s Options
There has been something of an injury crisis for the Red Devils to contend with this season. This has affected the squad’s defensive options in particular with Lisandro Martinez, Raphael Varane, Luke Shaw, Tyrell Malacia, Sergio Reguilon and Aaron Wan-Bissaka all absent at some stage throughout the current campaign.
England international Shaw has been injured since the opening weeks of the season while Malacia is yet to appear for United after picking up a knee injury which was rumoured to have originated at the back end of the 2022/23 term.
Casemiro and Martinez Ruled Out For Several Weeks
Manager Ten Hag has been speaking on the current injury situation and provided the following update on two of the most important players in the squad: “I don’t expect Lisandro Martínez and Casemiro to be available again before Christmas.”
This news is a blow to United fans as Casemiro has improved after a shaky start in the early weeks and has four goals in all competitions. The 31-year-old is a stalwart in the midfield and the manager has not managed to find the right balance when the Brazil international is not available for selection and he will continue to be ruled out by a hamstring injury suffered in the 3-0 defeat to Newcastle.
Martinez is regarded as the team’s most reliable central defender despite his performances dipping before his injury. The Argentina international formed an impressive partnership with Varane last season that helped secure a third-placed Premier League finish and success in the Carabao Cup. The 25-year-old is recovering from surgery after a foot injury.
Harry Maguire has stepped in and performed admirably in the World Cup winner’s absence but there are doubts about his long-term future. Victor Lindelof and Jonny Evans have failed to hold a place in the starting line-up.