Manchester United are facing an injury crisis before the new season has even started with both Leny Yoro and Rasmus Hojlund facing lengthy spells on the sidelines.
New signing Yoro has been ruled out for three months with a suspected fractured metatarsal in his left foot that could require an operation, according to ESPN.
The 18-year-old joined United from Lille a fortnight ago for £52million but could be absent until November having sustained the injury against Arsenal on Saturday.
Hojlund suffered a hamstring problem against the Gunners and is likely to miss six weeks.
If that wasn’t bad enough for Erik ten Hag, who felt United’s injury problems were a mitigating factor in their eighth-placed finish in the Premier League last season, striker Marcus Rashford limped out of last night’s 3-2 win over Real Betis in San Diego with an ankle problem while Antony lasted just 23 minutes as a substitute before also coming off.
Victory for the Reds in the @Snapdragon Cup 🏆#MUFC || #MUTOUR24 pic.twitter.com/ovRf0itGsK
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) August 1, 2024
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When do United start their season?
United face Manchester City in the Community Shield at Wembley on August 10 and open their Premier League campaign six days later against Fulham at Old Trafford.
Yoro’s injury is a huge blow for United, the teenager brought in to stabilise a defence that creaked alarmingly at times last season. He could miss up to nine league games and it remains to be seen if United reignite their previous interest in Everton’s Jarred Braithwaite and Bayern Munich’s Matthijs de Ligt.
Hojlund was the club’s top goalscorer with 16 in all competitions last season and if both he and Rashford are absent it will place enormous pressure on new signing Joshua Zirkzee.
The Netherlands international is not on the tour of the US having been given an extended break following his exertions at the European Championship and is training at the club’s base at Carrington.
Amad continues to shine
One ray of sunshine amid the gloom for Ten Hag continues to be the form of winger Amad Diallo.
The Ivorian won the penalty from which Rashford cancelled out the opener from Betis’ Iker Losada and scored the second himself.
Casemiro netted United’s third before Diego Llorente scored a second-half consolation for the Liga side.
