All the latest Manchester United injury news and updates ahead of the Red Devils’ clash against Luton Town this weekend
Erik ten Hag will be hoping to extend Manchester United’s unbeaten run when they lock horns with Luton Town. Rob Edwards welcomes United to Kenilworth Road on Sunday afternoon as either side looks to climb the Premier League table.
United, who haven’t lost yet this year, will be determined to clamber into the top four and secure Champions League qualification, meanwhile the Hatters target survival in the top flight. Speaking to reporters ahead of the clash, Ten Hag was quizzed on the Red Devils’ excellent vein of form.
“Yeah, you see, you feel that ambition,” said the Dutchman. “That brings a mood, brings a spirit in this club. The mood and the spirit which belongs to this club, and I think the players. The staff are very aligned with the ambitions of INEOS because that’s why we are here
“That’s why we are playing for Man United. We want to win, and we want to achieve the highest, so we are very aligned, and we have to make strategies and we have to execute the strategies to prove the ambitions.”
So, with that being said, the Manchester Evening News has taken a look at all the latest news and updates from the treatment room at Old Trafford.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka
Wan-Bissaka, who has missed each of United’s last four matches, trained in the build-up to last weekend’s win against Aston Villa but was forced to pull out of the session on Thursday. The nature of his injury has not been confirmed, but it’s not believed to be overly serious, with Ten Hag expecting him to be sidelined for just a couple of weeks.
What Ten Hag has said: “Aaron Wan-Bissaka will take some weeks because he picked up another injury in the training last week.”
Possible return date: Manchester City (A) – March 3
Lisandro Martinez
Martinez was sidelined in the second half of United’s clash against West Ham earlier this month. The 26-year-old defender buckled under the weight of Vladimir Coufal and he was later replaced by Raphael Varane.
A scan revealed that the injury wasn’t as bad as first thought, with damage to the medial collateral ligament. However, the Argentinean is still set to be sidelined for around eight weeks, missing some crucial games against Manchester City and Liverpool in the race for top four.
What Ten Hag has said: “He is very sad, very disappointed. We all feel really with him. First of all, it’s a personal disaster when it’s really bad. But let’s wait for what it is. But for the team, also it is really bad because he definitely brings us a lot.”
Possible return date: Chelsea (A) – April 3
Luke Shaw
Shaw was forced off at half-time during the win at Villa Park as a precaution and was replaced by Victor Lindelof. The Red Devils have not yet confirmed the nature of the left-back’s injury, but it’s not serious enough to have categorically ruled him out of the trip to Kenilworth Road as of yet.
What Ten Hag has said: “He is doubtful for the weekend, but we are positive he can make it. So, he fell out [of the game against Villa], it was a precaution and I think it was the right decision, especially when you, afterwards, win the game. But we work until Sunday.”
Possible return date: Luton Town (A) – February 18
Tyrell Malacia
Malacia has been back on the grass at Carrington for a few weeks but he’s still not strong enough to make his long-awaited return.
What Ten Hag has said: “Mason Mount and Tyrell Malacia will take some more weeks. Yeah, he had setbacks during his rehab process. It takes too long, it’s bad for him. Bad for us. But now, we turned a point and it’s positive, he will return soon on the pitch. I don’t think then it will take long before he’s returning in the team training.”
Possible return date: Unknown.
Mason Mount
Mount has been nursing a calf problem for more than two months now, yet he’s still some way off a return. The 25-year-old midfielder has featured just eight times for United in the Premier League this term.
What Ten Hag has said: “Mason Mount and Tyrell Malacia will take some more weeks.”
Possible return date: Unknown.
Anthony Martial
Martial is set to be out of action for a while due to a groin injury, which required an operation last month.
What Ten Hag has said: “It’s not a secret that I wanted a striker extra. Because with the injury of Martial we don’t really have back-up there, but it was not possible because we have to match the Financial Fair Play rules.
“We have Omari [Forson], we have Amad Diallo, of course we have Rashford who can play there. I think for the rest, all the positions are occupied. But, yeah, we have to be a little bit creative if it’s up to the number nine position.”