Erik ten Hag will enter the 2024/2025 campaign without Rasmus Hojlund and Leny Yoro at his disposal.
Manchester United confirmed overnight that, in line with speculation doing the rounds on Wednesday, the defender has indeed suffered a metatarsal fracture. However, reports suggested he would be sidelined for around two months, while he will actually be unavailable for three.
As for his fellow youngster Hojlund, he has sustained a hamstring injury and is expected to miss approximately six weeks’ worth of action. He is Ten Hag’s first-choice No.9, having just been given the shirt number following Anthony Martial’s release, but will now see the goalscoring duties passed onto new recruit Joshua Zirkzee, who will be navigating his first season in English football.
Alas, the Dutchman’s inexperience has forced United to accelerate their efforts to sign two new players to bolster the positions. Ivan Toney, a Premier League-proven and clinical finisher, has been mooted as a candidate.
What fixtures the sidelined duo will miss
Nonetheless, here are the games you can expect to see the injured duo miss.
Aug 10: Community Shield Final vs Manchester City – Hojlund & Yoro
Aug 16: PL opener – Fulham (H) – Hojlund & Yoro
Aug 24: Brighton and Hove Albion (A) – Hojlund & Yoro
Sep 1: Liverpool (H) – Hojlund & Yoro
Sep 14: Southampton (A) – Yoro and potentially Hojlund
Sep 21: Crystal Palace (A) – Yoro
Sep 29: Tottenham Hotspur (H) – Yoro
Oct 5: Aston Villa (A) – Yoro
Oct 19: Brentford (H) – Yoro
Oct 26: West Ham (A) – Yoro
Nov 2: Chelsea (H) – Potentially Yoro
Another distinctly average Season looms. 😠