Manchester United‘s defensive line has been struck by yet another blow as Victor Lindelöf and Lisandro Martinez are sidelined with injuries leaving manager Erik ten Hag scrambling for solutions ahead of crucial clashes.
Victor Lindelöf: Injury Update & Potential Return Date
Lindelöf a key figure in United’s defense suffered a hamstring injury during their recent 1-1 draw against Brentford forcing him to join Martinez on the sidelines for at least a month.
This spells trouble for United’s hopes of securing Champions League qualification as Ten Hag faces the daunting task of reshuffling his backline amidst a mounting injury crisis.
Potential return date: May 2024
Before the Brentford draw Erik ten Hag expressed optimism about Victor Lindelöf’s potential impact on the team highlighting his valuable qualities.
The Dutchman emphasized Lindelöf’s significance, stating,
“We have missed him in every game because he brings a composure in the team and a calmness in the team and, at the same time, a winning attitude.”
Ten Hag further praised Lindelöf’s ability to transmit these qualities to the team emphasizing the positive influence it has on their performance levels.
He remarked, “He can express this very clearly, he can transfer that to the team and that contributes to our levels.”
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Other Injury Crisis for Man United
The defensive woes don’t end there for United. The absence of Raphael Varane who was replaced by Harry Maguire as a precautionary measure adds further uncertainty to the mix.
With Varane’s return date still unknown the pressure mounts on Maguire to anchor the defense in upcoming fixtures against the likes of Chelsea and Liverpool.
However, there are glimmers of hope on the horizon for United. Luke Shaw’s potential return to action offers a much-needed boost with the left-back likely to feature again this season according to Ten Hag.
Additionally, goalkeeper Altay Bayindir is expected to make a swift comeback providing some relief in the goalkeeping department.
Meanwhile, Jonny Evans and Tyrell Malacia are inching closer to a return albeit with differing timelines. Evans nursing a minor issue is hopeful of making a comeback soon while Malacia faces a more prolonged recovery process following knee surgery.
As for Anthony Martial his future at United remains uncertain amidst contract negotiations and a lingering groin injury. With a possible return slated for April Martial’s absence adds to the club’s attacking woes as they navigate through a challenging period.
With the race for European football heating up and crucial fixtures on the horizon, Manchester United finds themselves amid a defensive crisis.
Can Ten Hag rally his troops and steer them towards success or will injuries derail their ambitions? Stay tuned for updates as the drama unfolds at Old Trafford.