Manchester United have FIVE injuries ahead of Leeds trip

Ahead of Manchester United’s match against Leeds at Elland Road this weekend, Erik ten Hag has offered an injury update on his squad.

A packed schedule lies ahead, as the Red Devils are set to play five games across the next 16 days. With that in mind, the United boss was asked if any of Scott McTominay, Antony or Anthony Martial are expected to return to the matchday squad:

“I don’t expect (them to be available); but we have some days obviously, but I don’t expect it,” remarked Ten Hag, before confirming that as of right now no new injury issues have come up, with the Dutchman adding: “If I can oversee it from now, I don’t see any new problems coming up.”

Unfortunately for United, the injury issues the aforementioned three players are struggling with look set to keep them out of action beyond the weekend.

As of right now, all three are expected to miss next week’s vital Europa League tie against Barcelona, with Ten Hag confirming as much when asked if they might return for United’s trip to the Nou Camp. “I can’t say 100 per cent, but I don’t expect it,” said Ten Hag.

In the case of McTominay, he has seen his on-the-pitch minutes limited this season since the arrivals of both Casemiro and Christian Eriksen in the Summer. However, with Christian Eriksen and Donny van de Beek set to be out for several months, McTominay’s return to the squad would be a welcome one.

The trio of Antony, McTominay and Martial’s injuries are just the three most recent setbacks in a season full of injuries for the Red Devils. Eriksen and Van de Beek both remain on the sidelines alongside the trio, whilst names such as Diogo Dalot, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Raphael Varane amongst others have all missed game time through injury.

With United dealing with such frequent injuries, Ten Hag was quizzed on if he believed the injuries are the result of the club’s packed schedule thanks to the added fixtures from last year’s World Cup:

“With the injuries, if you see Christian Eriksen (injury), you can’t see that as an impact from the tough season,” said Ten Hag.

“But it definitely is a tough season with the World Cup in between and a lot of overload from the players. That process is already longer term going on that the load on the players is too much.”

Leeds United vs Manchester United will kick-off at 14:00 GMT on Sunday, with the Red Devils looking to leave with all three points after Wednesday night’s draw against the same opposition.