Manchester United injury update: Marcus Rashford, Luke Shaw and Lisandro Martinez latest news and return dates

Manchester United are in danger of falling out of the Europa League spots after yet another poor performance at the weekend saw them lose ground on Newcastle in the hunt for sixth place.

United drew 1-1 at home to a Burnley side battling relegation from the Premier League, and they were once again wasteful in front of goal.

Erik ten Hag’s side now sit only one point ahead of Newcastle in sixth, with the two teams set to go head to head in the penultimate game of the season. They also still have to travel to an in-form Crystal Palace and welcome title-chasing Arsenal to Old Trafford.

United’s recent poor form has been in part due to their injury problems. They currently have seven senior defenders on the injury list, including both left-backs and five centre-backs.

In recent games, midfielder Casemiro has had to partner Harry Maguire in defence. Two of their top five scorers for the season, Marcus Rashford and Scott McTominay, are also injured, and it’s unclear if they’ll be fit in time to play Palace at Selhurst Park next Monday night.

Summer signing Mason Mount has featured in six out of the last eight matchday squads after returning from a long injury layoff, and could play a larger role against the Eagles.

Here is all the latest Manchester United injury news and potential return dates.

Marcus Rashford

Rashford has missed United’s last two Premier League games after being substituted late with a knock against Coventry in the chaotic FA Cup semi-final.

No update has been given on his condition, only that he was a doubt for Burnley. Ten Hag will hope to have him back against Palace.

Potential return date: May 2024

Raphael Varane

Varane was substituted at half-time after suffering a muscle injury during United’s 4-3 loss to Chelsea on April 4. The French defender has been absent since, and was not fit enough to make the matchday squad against Burnley.

It’s unclear when he’ll return, but it’ll likely be sometime in May.

Potential return date: May 2024

Victor Lindelof

Lindelof was withdrawn after 69 minutes against Brentford on March 30 with a hamstring injury. He was ruled out for a month, and has yet to make a matchday squad since. The club has not given a recent indication as to when he might be back.

Potential return date: May 2024

Lisandro Martinez

Martinez has endured an injury-hit season. He was a revelation for United last term, starting 45 games in all competitions. The Red Devils suffered a downturn in form after the Argentine missed the last 12 matches of their season with a metatarsal fracture, and have missed his toughness.

The 26-year-old has picked up foot, knee and calf injuries this season, and has only featured in 11 games. He last played against Brentford on March 30, coming on as a substitute to replace the injured Lindelof. He suffered a calf strain in training shortly after, and has been absent since.

Ten Hag confirmed that he had resumed training last week, and is confident he’ll return to action soon.

“I think we will see them [Luke Shaw, Martinez and Anthony Martial] all in the season,” the manager said. “They [have] all returned onto the pitch. Next week, they have to make the step into team training and they can be available for the last weeks. They progress well.”

Potential return date: May 2024

Jonny Evans

Evans has a muscle injury and has been absent since United’s loss to Chelsea on April 4. The injury was described as “shorter-term” and it’s likely he’ll be back before the end of the season.

Ten Hag has not given an update since, only stating that he was not ready to come back for the game against Burnley at the weekend.

Potential return date: May 2024

Comeback trail: Luke Shaw should return for Manchester United before the summer (Getty Images)

Luke Shaw

After being ever-present last season, Shaw has missed most of the 2023/24 season with various muscle injuries, only featuring in 15 games in all competitions.

He last played against Luton on February 18 and was substituted at half-time. Ten Hag recently confirmed that Shaw will be back soon.

Potential return date: May 2024

Tyrell Malacia

Malacia’s absence has been somewhat of a mystery. The Dutch left-back was an able understudy to Shaw last season, and featured in 39 games. He only sat out one matchday squad all season, missing United’s game against Nottingham Forest in April with knee pain.

According to The Athletic, Malacia had been suffering from knee pain since early 2023, but played through the injury. He underwent surgery during pre-season, and looked set to return last autumn.

However, the first surgery hadn’t fully removed the cartilage fragments in his knee, and he chose to undergo corrective surgery in November.

Malacia’s rehabilitation has not gone to plan since then, and Ten Hag confirmed in March that it’s unlikely he’ll return this season.

“It’s going to be difficult for him this season to be available,” Ten Hag said. “He will fight. He’s back on the pitch, but not in the team and the process had setbacks. He’s going forwards really slowly.”

Potential return date: Summer 2024

Scott McTominay

McTominay suffered a knee injury against Burnley after coming on as a substitute, and had to be replaced by Mason Mount late on. It’s not clear how serious the injury is yet, but Ten Hag said it’s unlikely he’ll play against Crystal Palace next week.

“We have to assess this to set the diagnosis,” Ten Hag said. “I don’t know in this moment to return [against Palace]. I think it’s a little bit too quick turnaround.”

Potential return date: Sunday, May 12 vs Arsenal

Anthony Martial

Martial has been absent since getting surgery on a groin injury suffered in January. The Frenchman has only played 19 times this season, and has not made a matchday squad since the Carabao Cup fourth-round tie against Newcastle on January 11.

With Martial’s contract expiring in the summer, it’s long been rumoured that he’s now played his last game for the club, but Ten Hag recently said he may feature before the end of the season.

Potential return date: May 2024

Willy Kambwala

Kambwala has been absent since United’s 2-2 draw with Bournemouth on April 13 with an undisclosed injury. The 19-year-old Frenchman has been a revelation this season, filling in ably at centre-back after an injury crisis at the position. Ten Hag has not confirmed when he’ll back.

Potential return date: Unknown

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