Erik ten Hag is still without eight first-team players as Manchester United head into the international break.
Two weeks without a competitive fixture provides an opportunity for wounded bodies to recover after a bruising start to the campaign. The treatment table has been busier than usual in the opening stages of the season, highlighted by a makeshift backline Ten Hag had to field against Brentford.
Victor Lindelof played at left-back and there was even a start for outcast Harry Maguire. United fans will be hoping for more available options when they travel to Sheffield United in a fortnight. Here is a complete injury round-up, including potential return dates.
Lisandro Martinez
Ten Hag confirmed last week that the Argentine – crucial to United’s success last season – will undergo knee surgery. He is not expected to be back anytime soon.
Possible return date: Early 2024
Raphael Varane
A killer blow this season is how Varane, Martinez’s defensive partner, is also sidelined. Thankfully for United, the Frenchman only had a minor knock and should be back when the Premier League campaign resumes.
Possible return date: October 21 vs Sheffield United
Luke Shaw
Shaw has not featured since the second game of the season and Ten Hag has refused to put a timescale on his return.
Possible return date: November
Kobbie Mainoo
Yet to make a senior appearance this season, the youngster should return from an ankle injury after the international break.
Possible return date: October 21 vs Sheffield United
Sergio Reguilon
Reguilon was signed on loan to solve the left-back crisis before, ironically, getting injured himself. He was close to a return against Brentford so expect him back soon.
Possible return date: October 21 vs Sheffield United
Aaron Wan-Bissaka
A hamstring injury suffered against Brighton was more serious than first feared. Wan-Bissaka is not expected to return until after next month’s international break.
Possible return date: November 25 vs Everton
Tyrell Malacia
Nobody knows when Malacia, who missed all of pre-season, will return. Ten Hag has refused to give any indication as to when the defender will come back.
Possible return date: Unknown
Amad Diallo
Any excitement about a breakthrough season for Amad has diminished due to a knee injury. The good news, however, is that he should return shortly after the current international break.
Possible return date: End of October
Also….
Mason Greenwood scores his first LaLiga goal after controversial loan move from Manchester United but 10-men Getafe are held to a draw at Celta Vigo
Mason Greenwood scored his first goal for Getafe on Sunday, but the side were held to a 2-2 draw at Celta Vigo after being reduced to ten men.
It was the 22-year-old forward’s first goal since his controversial loan move to the LaLiga from Manchester United last month.
Greenwood connected with a ball played across the box and fired it into the roof of the net to put Getafe 2-1 up after 33 minutes.
Borja Mayoral had put Getafe ahead just two minutes into the contest, but despite the hosts’ Iago Aspas missing a penalty before the 15th minute mark, Celta Vigo were level shortly afterward through Jonathan Bamba.
Getafe were reduced to ten men after half an hour when Portuguese defender Domingos Duarte was shown a second yellow card, but Greenwood’s goal came three minutes later to put the visitors back in front.
After four goals and a red card in the first half, the second half saw fewer incidents, and the scoreline remained the same.
Greenwood was withdrawn on 61 minutes, with Mauro Arambarri coming on in his place.
The point leaves Celta Vigo in the relegation zone, while Getafe are in 11th place in LaLiga after their fourth draw in nine games.
On Instagram after the game, Greenwood posted: ‘Happy to score my first goal for @GetafeCF amazing team spirit to come away from the game with a point’.
Greenwood is attempting to rebuild his footballing career after it was previously disrupted by his arrest on charges of attempted rape and assault last year.
The charges were eventually dropped by the Crown Prosecution service.
United held an internal investigation following the allegations made against him, and it was mutually decided Greenwood would continue his career away from Old Trafford, which led to his deadline day loan move to Getafe.
Also…..
UNEMPLOYED David de Gea showed Manchester United fans how he’s spending time in a cryptic post.
That’s after his old side limped to a fortunate late win over Brentford.
David De Gea made a cryptic post as Man Utd narrowly beat Brentford 2-1
David De Gea made a cryptic post as Man Utd narrowly beat Brentford 2-1Credit: Getty
De Gea showed he’s playing video games while waiting to find a new club
De Gea showed he’s playing video games while waiting to find a new clubCredit: Instagram / @d_degeaofficial
De Gea, 32, was axed by United over the summer after 12 seasons between the sticks.
He ended the last campaign with the Golden Glove award.
But Erik ten Hag still proceeded to replace De Gea with Andre Onana.
The ex-Inter Milan and Ajax has since struggled at United, making numerous errors and conceding in every game.
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Onana’s latest blunder came against Brentford on Saturday when his flapping hands gave the Bees the lead.
United’s blushes were spared when super-sub Scott McTominay scored two late goals to secure a fortunate 2-1 win.
And De Gea posted a cryptic snap to Instagram Stories, which also gave an insight into what he’s doing these days.
The Spaniard is still without a club after being unable to land a free traqqnsfer.
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De Gea’s character was shot as soon as he moved
De Gea’s character was shot as soon as he movedCredit: Instagram / @d_degeaofficial
And De Gea looks to be spending time playing video games, posting a clip of himself playing popular title Rainbow Six Siege.
The veteran’s character was seen aiming at a hallway stock-still waiting for a target to appear.
But after eventually taking his eye off the ball to move to a new room, De Gea’s character was immediately shot by an opponent.
The goalkeeper captioned the video: “Perfect timing.”
And he accompanied it with two emojis giving the middle finger.
De Gea’s post came just days after another cryptic hint aimed at United.
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He uploaded a snap of himself and friends smirking – moments after the Red Devils lost 3-2 at home to Galatasaray.
United looked like they were on course for another home defeat before a stoppage time brace from super sub Scott McTominay secured the Red Devils a 2-1 win.
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