Manchester United injuries lead to promotion of youngsters for Everton clash

EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND - JULY 19: Joe Hugill of Manchester United in action during the pre-season friendly match between Manchester United and Olympique Lyonnais at BT Murrayfield Stadium on July 19, 2023 in Edinburgh, Scotland. (Photo by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images)

Manchester United have been faced with an injury crisis since the start of the 2023/24 campaign. Erik ten Hag’s side have been dealt blow after blow which had led to criticism, from some sections, in regard to the manager’s training methods.

Ahead of the trip to Everton this evening, Mason Mount became the latest player to pick up an injury in training but Ten Hag was quick to dismiss wrongdoing on his part. Instead he blames the Premier League’s fixture schedule.

According to the Manchester Evening News, Ten Hag has decided to draft youngsters into the squad for today’s game at Goodison Park.

A number of academy players were added to the travelling squad and striker Joe Hugill could make the bench.

The report adds: “The academy players had been given a day off but were frantically contacted to report for possible first-team participation at the 11th hour.”

This could be a suggestion that Rasmus Hojlund, who was scheduled to have a late fitness test on Saturday, will miss out but there hasn’t been any reports of that yet.

Hojlund sustained an injury in United’s 1-0 win over Luton Town which ruled him out of action for Denmark during the November international break.

It goes without saying that the absence of Hojlund could see Hugill, 20, get named on the bench. That in turn raises questions about whether Anthony Martial or Marcus Rashford will lead the attack against Everton.

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