Maguire, Højlund, Mount – Man United injury news and return dates vs Liverpool

Manchester United may have multiple returns as Erik ten Hag prepares his side to face Liverpool in the FA Cup quarter-finals.

Manchester United host Liverpool at Old Trafford as both sides vie for a place in the FA Cup semi-finals, with the competition representing Erik ten Hag‘s last chance for a trophy this campaign.

Liverpool, on the other hand, are still looking to secure a domestic treble, having won the Carabao Cup and still very much being in the Premier League title race alongside Arsenal and Manchester City.

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United have nine players who are currently out injured, with a summary of potential return dates explained below.

Rasmus Højlund

Rasmus Højlund suffered a muscular injury two weeks ago ahead of United’s 2-1 loss against Fulham in the Premier League two weeks ago.

“It’s a small injury, two or three weeks. It’s a risk in high-intensity training,” Ten Hag explained at the time. He is expected to be back to face Liverpool.

Mason Mount

Mason Mount has been out injured since the middle of November with a calf problem. Although the injury was originally meant to keep him out for one month, he has only just returned to training four months later.

Mason Mount is BACK 🤩 #mufcpic.twitter.com/yDrRhCYBJe

— UtdDistrict (@UtdDistrict) March 12, 2024

“He’s in a good spell now, and he will return shortly, I think, after the international break,” Ten Hag explained last week. “For next week, some players are planning to return, hopefully when the process will continue like it is now.”

Harry Maguire

Harry Maguire was ruled out with an unknown issue at the end of last month, with the player missing an FA Cup tie against Nottingham Forest as well as Premier League games against Manchester City and Liverpool.

Ten Hag confirmed on Friday that he will be fit to face Liverpool, with United needing reinforcement in defence.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka

Aaron Wan-Bissaka is also expected to return against Liverpool, which will help relieve some of the pressure on United’s back line as it will allow the club to have two fit full-backs again.

Wan-Bissaka was ruled out over a month ago with a leg problem but suffered a setback ahead of his initial return, but he is now expected to be fit for the coming weekend.

Lisandro Martínez

Martínez returned to duty in January following a second operation on his foot. However, against West Ham a few weeks later, he suffered another separate problem with his knee after Vladimir Coufal injured him in a collision.

“It’s a setback, of course,” Ten Hag said at the time. “You see his contribution to the team when he’s playing. Apart from his technical skills, he also brings mentality into the team, but it’s a big setback. He’s disappointed, but he’s a fighter, he will be back and he will be back stronger.”

Martínez was ruled out for at least 8 weeks, which puts his return date at the beginning of April, possibly against either Chelsea or Liverpool in the league.

Luke Shaw

Luke Shaw was ruled out for three months a few weeks ago after he was substituted at half-time in back-to-back games against both Aston Villa and Luton Town.

Despite the substitutions being a precaution, he was subsequently diagnosed with the reoccurance of a leg problem, and now faces a fight to be fit for the end of the season.

Anthony Martial

Anthony Martial was ruled out for a number of months after undergoing groin surgery, leaving Erik ten Hag with just one first-team striker in Højlund – and with the Dane out injured in the last few weeks, this has left the striker job to Marcus Rashford and Bruno Fernandes.

Martial is expected to be out until early/mid-April, but he is not expected to play any significant part in Ten Hag’s squad once he returns and will leave for free in the summer.

Tyrell Malacia

No one quite knows what has happened to Tyrell Malacia, as the player has not featured at all this season, with some rumours claiming that he will not play until next year. He has undergone multiple knee surgeries and was originally expected back in January, but this has not come to fruition.

“He had setbacks during his rehab process,” was Ten Hag’s latest update in mid-February. “It takes too long; it’s bad for him. Bad for us. But now, we turned a point and it’s positive, he will return soon on the pitch. I don’t think then it will take long before he’s returning in the team training.”

Omari Forson

Omari Forson recently made his first start for United, playing against Fulham in the Premier League, and came on as a substitute against Manchester City but was ruled out through injury for the tie against Everton last weekend.

Although no specific detailed return date was given for his injury, it is not expected to be a significant one, and he could be back to feature again after the internal break at the end of March.