Erik ten Hag reacts to double Man Utd injury blow ahead of Liverpool trip
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has provided an update following the injuries sustained by Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw against Bayern Munich in the Champions League last night.
The Red Devils were ousted out of Europe yesterday following a 1-0 defeat at the hands of the German champions. They struggled to create clear-cut chances on the night and a solitary goal from Kingsley Coman secured the victory for Thomas Tuchel’s side.
The game was a forgettable one for United for more than one reason. Aside from finishing fourth in their group, United also lost the services of Maguire and Shaw. The former was substituted before the break with a groin problem while the latter was taken off at half-time with a hamstring issue.
As a result, United completed the game with a back four of Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Raphael Varane, Jonny Evans and Diogo Dalot. Their defensive options are limited at the moment with Sergio Reguilon being the only other fit senior defender in the first-team squad.
Speaking after the game, Ten Hag said that he can’t provide a clear update on the injuries to the duo and added that the club need to wait for another 24 hours to assess the condition of both players.
He said: “I can’t say in this moment. We obviously have to wait 24 hours and then we will have an assessment and diagnosis so we have to wait for it.”
United suffer double injury blow ahead of crucial schedule
The Red Devils face Liverpool, West Ham United, Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest before the New Year and the double injury blow has come at the worst possible time.
They travel to Anfield to take on their arch-rivals this weekend. Judging by the nature of both injuries, Maguire and Shaw are very likely to be ruled out of the encounter.
United will be hoping that Lindelof recovers from his own injury for the trip. Else, they may need to field Varane and Evans in central defence again. The duo have rarely played together.
Evans’ lack of recovery pace could be exploited by Liverpool’s attack. We should get a further update on the team news in the pre-match presser on Friday afternoon.
Aside from Maguire and Shaw, United will be without their talismanic captain Bruno Fernandes, who is suspended after accumulating five yellow cards in the league.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com
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