Mikel Arteta confirms Arsenal injury blow as four Manchester United stars unavailable for Rúben Amorim

Rúben Amorim has four players unavailable as Manchester United begin the FA Cup title defence by facing Arsenal in the third round on Sunday afternoon.

Manchester United embark on their quest to defend their FA Cup trophy as they travel to face Arsenal in North London on Sunday afternoon.

During the 2024 final, goals from Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo saw Erik ten Hag’s men lift the trophy at Wembley Stadium in May.

However, eight months later, the United squad is now marshalled by 39-year-old Rúben Amorim following Ten Hag’s dismissal in October, and results have been mixed since.

United and Arsenal faced off at the Emirates Stadium in December, with the home side scoring from two corners to sink Amorim’s men. However, many have praised the club for their overall performances against big sides away from home.

Arteta confirms Arsenal injury blow

Speaking on Monday, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta confirmed that they will be without promising youngster Ethan Nwaneri for the United tie.

“Unfortunately he has picked up an injury and is going to be out for a few weeks. It’s a muscular injury,” Arteta said.

“He didn’t really know [what the injury was] to be fair. So he said: ‘I am feeling something, I don’t know what is it?’

“Obviously he has earned the right to step up and play for us. And now he has started some big games as well and impacted those games that he has done, in different positions as well.

“So yeah, I am gutted for him because that is going to stop a little bit. But it is another step in that development phase that he is in. I have been really happy with the way he has been going.”

They will also be without Bukayo Saka or Raheem Sterling on the weekend, while striker Kai Havertz and club captain Martin Odegaard have struggled with illness recently.

Latest United FA Cup injury news

Amorim has at least four players unavailable to make the journey down to London.

Speaking last week on injuries, the United boss confirmed that Jonny Evans would miss the Liverpool trip, and there has been no update on his condition since.

He also confirmed that although both Victor Lindelöf and Luke Shaw were edging closer back to training, they would not be available for the Liverpool game.

Read More: Manchester United ‘make’ Kobbie Mainoo transfer decision as only two stars ‘untouchable’ under Rúben Amorim

Marcus Rashford missed the fixture through illness but is expected to be fit to play, although whether Amorim chooses to select him is another topic entirely.

Mason Mount suffered a fresh injury last month after a hyperextension against Manchester City and is rumoured to be out until March 2025 as he begins recovery on his third injury of the campaign.

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