“We hope…” Ruud van Nistelrooy supplies positive Manchester United injury update

Ruud van Nistelrooy has provided the latest on Manchester United’s injury news as they prepare to face PAOK in the Europa League on Thursday evening.

In his first Premier League game as Manchester United’s interim manager, Ruud van Nistelrooy led his side to a 1-1 draw against Chelsea at Old Trafford on Sunday evening.

The opening half saw both teams playing it safe, with each side narrowly missing out as they hit the post once.

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The tempo picked up in the second half when Bruno Fernandes slotted home a penalty after Rasmus Højlund was brought down in the box, set up by a precise cross from Casemiro.

Chelsea responded swiftly, with Moisés Caicedo equalizing with a powerful shot from the edge of the area. Both teams searched for a late winner, but the game ended in a hard-fought 1-1 draw.

Latest injury update

Against Chelsea, United only had three senior midfielders in the squad, with Fernandes, Casemiro, and Manuel Ugarte all starting.

Due to the thin nature of the side, Van Nistelrooy had to deploy centre-back Victor Lindelöf in midfield for the final ten minutes after he substituted Ugarte at Old Trafford.

Speaking to MUTV after the game, he admitted that the squad are light in the midfield department, and that he hopes the club will see returns in the coming week.

“No, we were thin,” the Dutchman said. “We had some young lads on the bench who are very talented and will be very important for the future.

“As you say, we are thin, especially in midfield. We had no midfielders on the bench, but we hope we can bring some back for the coming week so we can have more options from the bench.”

Who is likely to return?

The most likely player to return is Christian Eriksen, who has missed the side’s last two matches due to an unspecified injury.

Kobbie Mainoo is not expected back from his hamstring problem until after the international break. At the same time, Toby Collyer has been ruled out for around a month after an injury sustained in October.

Mason Mount could also return, although no timeframe has been given for the English midfielder. Little clarification has also been given as to how he was injured after he sustained a knock against Tottenham last month.

Young star Dan Gore remains injured, without indication of when he will return to action. Next up, the club face PAOK at Old Trafford as they look for their first win in the Europa League this season.

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