Manchester United’s 2019/20 campaign has been riddled with injury and their problems have been made a lot worse. Despite having eight centre backs on their books, United currently only have one fit. This is due to Chris Smalling being on loan at Roma, and six injuries. It seems that the Manchester United injuries at centre back have rubbed salt in the already very irritated wound of Manchester United’s poor 2019/20 campaign.
Manchester United Injuries Rife at Centre-Back
Injuries Galore at Centre Back for Manchester United
Eric Bailly, Marcos Rojo, Timothy Fosu-Mensah and Axel Tuanzebe are all long term absentees. Harry Maguire, meanwhile played through a hip injury in United’s goalless draw with Wolves on Saturday. After failing to play in United’s Carabao Cup defeat to Manchester City on Tuesday, Maguire’s Injury was described by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as not “long term”. Solskjaer only ruled him out of their upcoming Premier League Clash with Norwich. More recently, however, it has been said that he will be out for an “extended period”. Furthermore, Phil Jones has struggled recently, having had very little game time. He limped down the tunnel on Tuesday and is a doubt for the Norwich game.
Bad Timing
This pile of Manchester United injuries at centre-back could not have come at a worse time for United. The Red Devils have an incredible amount of fixture congestion in the next few weeks. Within three weeks, Manchester United will play a total of six games. These are not easy games either, with upcoming fixtures including trips to Anfield and the Etihad, along with playing Wolves twice in two different competitions at home.
Who Will Play on Saturday?
Chris Smalling is on loan at the moment, and there have been rumours that the Reds may recall him. This, however, will not be the case as Smalling’s loan deal does not give United the ability to recall him early. This may seem like another blow for United. However, it would not make sense to recall someone from such a successful loan spell.
Jones is the only conventional centre-half other than Victor Lindelof who may be available on Saturday. However, if the Englishman is not fit by then, it seems that Nemanja Matic will start alongside the Swedish international. Manchester United have already beaten Norwich 3-1 away this season, meaning they will be glad their injury crisis has seemingly reached its peak ahead of the reverse fixture. Having said that, there isn’t a good time for an injury crisis, and an upset is always on the table.
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