While Ruben Amorim will undoubtedly be eager to take to the dugout for his first game as Manchester United’s head coach, he will be navigating a handful of injury setbacks.
The 39-year-old’s first match at the helm of England’s most successful club comes on November 24 in a trip to face Premier League newbies Ipswich Town. His first outing at Old Trafford is only four days later when the Reds take on Bodø/Glimt in a Europa League clash.
Mason Mount hasn’t been able to catch a break since he swapped blue for red last summer. Setback after setback has plagued his United career thus far, so he’ll be keeping his fingers crossed – and you can place your bets via Sports Interaction Ontario – that when he next bids farewell to the treatment room, it’s the last he sees of it for a long time.
Amorim has been dealt an early significant blow this international break after influential starter Lisandro Martinez withdrew from the Argentina squad due to a knock he sustained against Leicester City last Sunday, during which he played the full 90 minutes.
He has since boarded a return flight back to Manchester to undergo further assessments on an issue that’s been deemed a‘significant hip injury’.
Martinez’s absence may prompt defensive concerns given that Harry Maguire has not featured for United since the 0-0 draw with Aston Villa on October 6. He shared a snap of himself and youngster Toby Collyer doing some recovery work at Carrington last week, while Ruud van Nistelrooy then revealed that the Englishman was still ‘working on his rehab’.
Elsewhere in the defensive contingent, Leny Yoro is primed to make his official debut when club action resumes next weekend. The youngster, who signed on a £58.9 million deal from Lille in July, has been absent since fracturing a metatarsal during United’s pre-season tour clash with Arsenal. He underwent successful surgery to correct the problem, and staff have, understandably, been hesitant to rush his comeback.
Amorim will hope United’s absentee list decreases in the coming weeks
Like Maguire, Kobbie Mainoo’s muscle injury was also sustained against Villa last month, with fans eagerly awaiting the Carrington graduate’s return so they can see how he fares under the new boss. The exact date he is anticipated to play is unconfirmed, although the formidable partnership of Casemiro and Manuel Ugarte means he can take his time and ensure he’s at full match fitness.
Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia, two players who’ve endured some of the worst possible luck on the injury front, may feature in any of United’s forthcoming fixtures. Both have been training as of late, and Malacia made his first outing for 17 months when he was named in the starting 11 for the Under-21s EFL Trophy tie away to Huddersfield Town on Tuesday night.
