Early Manchester United team news as Erik ten Hag confirms three injury updates vs Barnsley

Erik ten Hag has issued three injury updates as Manchester United prepare to face Barnsley in the third round of the Carabao Cup.

Manchester United have had a mixed start to the 2024/25 season. Losses to Brighton and Liverpool followed a win against Fulham, but a 3-0 thumping of Southampton has put the club back on track.

Goals from Matthijs de Ligt, Marcus Rashford, and Alejandro Garnacho saw Erik ten Hag‘s men gain all three points on the south coast, helping them climb back into the top half of the table.

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Now, the Dutchman turns to the Carabao Cup as they prepare to welcome League One outfit Barnsley to Old Trafford in the third round of the competition.

Last season, United had to contend with a catastrophic injury crisis, which means Ten Hag is becoming much more cautious about players returning to the squad from the treatment table.

Rasmus Højlund and Luke Shaw were initially expected to take part against Southampton, but the manager chose to leave them out to give them further time to recover from leg muscle injuries.

Following the Southampton win, the Dutch boss confirmed that the duo, alongside Mason Mount, would not be ready to play against Barnsley.

“Of course, it’s an important period with many games to play – I think seven in 22 days,” he told reporters.

“We need everyone, and hopefully, players are returning. It will not be the case for the next game, but hopefully, in the next weeks, they [Højlund, Mount and Shaw] will return to the squad.”

Meanwhile, United will still be without Leny Yoro and Tyrell Malacia, who have both been out through long-term injury issues – although the latter is expected to return soon.

“Of course, we want to motivate him to return, but it’s not so easy when you are so long away,” he said.

“Over a season now from an injury to return, but he’s working very hard, he’s progressing really well in this moment.

“He’s making big steps, so we think, at short notice, we can expect him in the team training, and he is a talent, it’s natural. I expect also, soon, he can return into games then.”

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