Manchester United’s injury woes have taken another hit as both Kobbie Mainoo and Harry Maguire have been ruled out for several weeks. Mainoo, a key player in. Manchester United’s Premier League campaign this season, sustained a muscle injury during their recent match against Aston Villa. Harry Maguire also picked up a similar injury and was forced to withdraw from the England squad ahead of the international break.
The absence of Mainoo will be particularly troubling for Erik ten Hag, who is already grappling with Manchester United’s poor form in the Premier League. Mainoo has been a pivotal figure in midfield, and the manager will now have to find solutions in his absence, starting with their upcoming fixture against Brentford. As for Maguire, his absence adds to an already stretched defense that has been underperforming this season.
Manchester United Injury List Begins to Shrink as Three Players Return to Training
Despite the setbacks, there are some positives for Manchester United as three key players—Noussair Mazraoui, Alejandro Garnacho, and Amad Diallo—returned to training ahead of their clash with Brentford. The trio had been sidelined due to various issues but were seen training at Carrington, providing a much-needed boost to Ten Hag’s options.
Mazraoui, who recently underwent a precautionary procedure following heart palpitations, was cleared to train again after missing international duty. Garnacho, on the other hand, skipped Argentina’s call-up due to a lingering knee issue, and Amad pulled out of the Ivory Coast squad due to illness. Their return could offer United more depth as they aim to regain form and climb up the Premier League standings.
Concerns Surrounding Ugarte After International Duty
New summer signing Manuel Ugarte also presented concerns after his appearance for Uruguay during their World Cup qualifying draw against Ecuador. Ugarte, who was seen icing a muscle issue on his right thigh, was substituted late in the game after reportedly complaining of discomfort. However, upon his return to Manchester United, Ugarte completed a recovery session, with the club not issuing any updates suggesting the injury will keep him out for the weekend fixture.
Ten Hag will be keeping a close eye on Ugarte’s fitness as the midfielder’s presence could be vital in the upcoming matches. With other players returning, the hope is that Ugarte can shake off the injury scare and take part in the crucial tie against Brentford.
Long-term Absentees Continue Recovery Process
Manchester United’s long-term absentees, including Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia, continue their recovery journeys with little clarity on their immediate return. Tyrell Malacia, who participated in part of a group session, remains on the road to full recovery but is not expected to feature against Brentford. Luke Shaw, meanwhile, is still rehabilitating from a muscle injury, and although Erik ten Hag expressed optimism about his return post-international break, the exact timeline remains uncertain.
Ten Hag had earlier indicated that Shaw might return after the break, but the uncertainty lingers. “We hope Luke can return after the international break quickly,” Ten Hag had commented, leaving room for doubt about Shaw’s availability for the first match back. As Manchester United battle on multiple fronts, their defensive lineup will remain under strain until Shaw and Malacia are fully fit to contribute again.
Garnacho and Diallo Return as United Face Brentford
Manchester United received a much-needed boost ahead of their match against Brentford with the return of two key players to training. Alejandro Garnacho, who had been sidelined with a knee injury, is now back and available for selection. Similarly, Amad Diallo has recovered from an illness that kept him out of Ivory Coast’s international duties. Their return is welcome news for United, as the team has struggled with injuries across the squad.
United will still be without Mason Mount and Luke Shaw for the upcoming match, but the return of Garnacho and Diallo adds much-needed depth to the squad. With Tyrell Malacia also making steady progress towards full fitness after a long-term knee injury, United will hope to navigate their injury crisis and keep their ambitions alive in the Premier League and beyond.
