After ending the previous season with the second-highest number of individual injuries in the Premier League, Manchester United’s troubled injury record seems to have followed them into the new campaign.
After nearly a year without a reliable left-back, Erik ten Hag now seems to be dealing with a lot of absences as the Red Devils enter a busy stretch of the season with games coming up one after the other.
Due to a preseason injury, Leny Yoro has not yet made his debut, and Kobbie Mainoo has withdrawn from the most recent England camp, suggesting that he will be out for a long time. However, he is not the only midfield player for a considerable time on the treatment table.
One further injury setback for a Manchester United midfielder
Since leaving Chelsea in the summer of 2023 for Manchester United in a highly anticipated £55 million transfer, Mason Mount has had difficulty launching his career.
Mount, who was initially thought to be a more energetic successor for the ageing Christian Eriksen who could play midfield alongside Casemiro, suffered an injury a few weeks into the season and missed 27 games overall.
After enjoying a full preseason under Erik ten Hag, a new season brought fresh hope that Mount may finally fulfil the promise he displayed at Chelsea.
A hamstring injury, however, once again limited his quick comeback, preventing him from playing for three games until making a comeback as a substitute in the 3-0 loss to Tottenham at home.
Ten Hag said in his pre-match press conference on Wednesday that he will be sidelined for some time longer. After 40 minutes and a new hamstring problem, the 25-year-old was back on the treatment table at Carrington and has not been seen since.
“I think a bit longer [to wait for Mount], that’s what we expected,” Ten Hag stated before Thursday’s trip to Fenerbahce for his team. “I think he will be back soon.”
Due to injuries to Mount and Mainoo and a suspension for captain Bruno Fernandes’ red card against Porto in game week two, the Red Devils only have three midfield players in their squad going to Turkey.
With a roster that includes former United midfielders Fred and Sofyan Amrabat, Jose Mourinho’s team is currently ranked fourth in the Turkish Süper Lig.
When Premier League action resumes this weekend, Manchester United will play West Ham United.