Manchester United’s debilitating injury crisis will have lasted the entirety of the campaign when 2023/2024 draws to a close in the coming months.
It was reported on Thursday that Tyrell Malacia was unlikely to feature for the Reds in their remaining eight (dependent on FA Cup progression) fixtures, meaning he’ll have made zero appearances in what would’ve been his sophomore United term.
Similarly, it remains to be seen if his left-back counterpart, Luke Shaw, will return from the sidelines in time to play a role in the final matches. The England international has endured yet another injury-stricken year at United, which could even lead to him missing out on this summer’s Euros.
Lisandro Martinez, Raphael Varane, Victor Lindelof, Jonny Evans, Scott McTominay and Anthony Martial are the other absentees across the squad, with the latter closing in on his final eight weeks as a United player.
Martial’s contract expires in June as, earlier this year, the club opted against activating his 12-month extension. Therefore, the Frenchman will bid farewell to Old Trafford in the summer after nine years, although he may not get the chance to step out on the pitch in red again.
Ten Hag talks Martial’s extended absence
Ten Hag was pressed on Martial’s potential return in his pre-Bournemouth press conference as in January, it was announced that he’d be unavailable for around 10 weeks.
“I don’t know, he [Anthony] is still with the medical [team],” Ten Hag said of the forward.
“He’s out on the pitch. But if he will be available, I don’t know.”
