Manchester United injury update: Bruno Fernandes, Lisandro Martinez, Harry Maguire latest news and return dates
Erik ten Hag continues to face a remarkably long injury list at Manchester United.
The Dutchman is without a whole host of first-team players in defence, forcing Aaron Wan-Bissaka to fill in at left-back recently and Casemiro and Jonny Evans to start at centre-back in the 4-0 defeat to Crystal Palace on Monday night.
Captain Bruno Fernandes missed that match, while Marcus Rashford, Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martinez are among those still on the sidelines.
United are in danger of missing out on European football next season, and there is little optimism ahead of an FA Cup final against Manchester City later this month.
Here is your latest update of Man Utd injury news and return dates…
Casemiro has struggled when filling in at centre-back (Mike Egerton/PA Wire)
Bruno Fernandes
Fernandes missed a United game through injury for the first time as his team-mates were hammered at Selhurst Park.
Ten Hag confirmed ahead of that match that Fernandes was a doubt, but did not indicate that it was a serious injury and there is every chance that the United captain is back this weekend to face Arsenal.
“We all know Bruno, never rule him out for any game, he will do his best to be available,” Ten Hag said last week.
Potential return date: Sunday May 12, vs Arsenal
Harry Maguire
A muscle injury picked up in training has added Maguire’s name to the injury list at United.
It is expected that the defender will be out for around three weeks, ruling him out of the rest of the Premier League season and leaving him as a doubt for the FA Cup final.
Maguire is set to be fit for this summer’s European Championship, assuming there are no further setbacks.
Potential return date: Sunday May 25, vs Manchester City
Harry Maguire could miss the rest of Man United’s season (Manchester United via Getty Imag)
Lisandro Martinez
It has been a hugely frustrating season for Martinez, who has made only 11 appearances as a result of various injury issues.
He has been out since the end of March with a calf strain, but he is now closing in on a return to first-team action after Ten Hag revealed he was set to return to training ahead of the Palace match.
Martinez will likely still need some time to build up his fitness, but he should return before the end of the season.
Potential return date: May 2024
Luke Shaw
As with Martinez, Ten Hag suggested that Shaw was close to returning to team training last week.
The left-back suffered a muscle injury against Luton in February, with it reported at the time that he would be out for three months.
That would suggest a return towards the end of May, with United confirming they expect Shaw to feature again this season.
Potential return date: May 2024
Luke Shaw was forced off against Luton and has not been involved since (REUTERS)
Jonny Evans
Evans made his first appearance in a month when he came into the side to face Palace, partnering Casemiro at the back.
There have been claims on social media that Evans was not yet ready to return but was asked to play due to the injury crisis, and he managed to see out the full 90 minutes.
He could have to do the same against Arsenal if the situation does not improve for United.
Potential return date: Sunday May 12, vs Arsenal
Marcus Rashford
Rashford has now missed United’s last three matches with a knock he picked up in the FA Cup win over Coventry at Wembley.
Ten Hag has given a vague update on the situation, with Rashford yet to return to training.
“His issue after Coventry hasn’t healed,” the United boss said on Thursday. “I can’t tell [you] when he will be back in training.”
Potential return date: May 2024
Marcus Rashford has not yet returned to training (The FA via Getty Images)
Scott McTominay
McTominay suffered a knee injury in the draw with Burnley and subsequently missed the trip to Selhurst Park.
A late decision was made on his fitness, though, meaning he should feature against Arsenal with almost a full week to build up his fitness.
“Scott didn’t train so far this week but I expect him back in training on Saturday,” Ten Hag said ahead of the Palace match. “Then we will have to see up to the game if he is 100 per cent available or for [only] a part in the game.
Potential return date: Sunday May 12, vs Arsenal
Raphael Varane
Varane has been out of action since the Chelsea match a month ago, when he was brought off at half-time.
The club stated he would be out for “the next few weeks” with a muscle injury, and that the Frenchman was “aiming to be back in action before the end of the season”.
No official update has been provided since, and a return does not appear imminent.
Potential return date: May 2024
Anthony Martial
There is hope that Martial will return for United this season, to make what could be a final appearance for the club.
The Frenchman is out of contract this summer and he is expected to leave, but he is now back in training and closing in on a return.
Martial last played in December and was force to undergo groin surgery at the start of the year.
Potential return date: May 2024
Victor Lindelof
A hamstring injury picked up against Brentford at the end of March has kept Lindelof on the sidelines ever since.
It was reported he would be out for a month, but he has not been named as one of those returning to training and therefore faces a race to play again this season.
Potential return date: May 2024
Victor Lindelof is one of a number of defenders out injured (REUTERS)
Willy Kambwala
Kambwala’s absence has further added to Ten Hag’s huge injury concerns.
An unspecified issue ruled the teenager out of the FA Cup semi-final against Coventry and he has not returned to the squad in recent weeks, with the United boss simply saying the club need to be “patient”.
Potential return date: May 2024
Tyrell Malacia
Malacia has not made a single appearance this season, leaving United short at left-back.
After undergoing surgery in the summer, a second operation was then required in November and his recovery since has been slow.
“I think it’s going to be difficult for this season to be available,” Ten hag said in March.
Potential return date: Summer 2024
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