Manchester United's pre-season tour of the United States has been punctuated by injuries, with four key players being withdrawn through injury in two games dealing significant blows to Erik Ten Hag's side heading into the new Premier League season.
Rasmus Hojlund
Striker Rasmus Hojlund looked lively as he scored United's opener against Arsenal last weekend, however, the Dane was forced off inside 16 minutes and is set to miss the start of the season with a pulled hamstring, which is expected to put him out of action for six weeks.
Hojlund was an important player for United last season, netting 10 goals in 30 Premier League appearances and will be a huge miss for the Red Devils in the opening games of the season.
Hojlund's absence leaves United with limited options up front heading into the new season, with summer signing Joshua Zirkzee and 18-year-old Ethan Wheatley the only out-and-out strikers available to Erik Ten Hag. The Dane's injury is likely to provide Zirkzee the opportunity to lead the line at the beginning of the season, as the Dutch striker looks to prove himself at Old Trafford and establish a spot in United's starting 11.
Leny Yoro
£52 million signing Leny Yoro was also forced off injured during the pre-season friendly against Arsenal in Los Angeles last weekend and was spotted using crutches and a protective boot, which will be hugely concerning for United fans.
United expect the 18-year-old to miss around three months after an initial scan showed a fractured metatarsal. Should Yoro remain out until the end of October, he will miss nine Premier League fixtures, including games against Liverpool, Tottenham and Aston Villa, as well as the start of United's Europa League and Carabao Cup campaigns.
United signed Yoro, a promising young centre-back, from Lille earlier in the window to strengthen their options in defence. Last season, injuries to Lisandro Martinez, Raphael Varane, Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof meant United fielded 14 different centre-back partnerships, with a makeshift back four, including Casemiro, a midfielder by trade, operating at centre-back in United's final games of the season - far from ideal for Ten Hag's side.
With Yoro now out for an extended period, it is crucial United bring in another centre-back ahead of the new season. The Red Devils have already targeted Matthijs de Ligt and Everton's Jarred Branthwaite as potential new signings to bolster their defence, and with Yoro's injury, it is now more important than ever that United get a deal over the line, to ensure they are not stuck with the same defensive troubles they faced last season.
Marcus Rashford
United's injury issues worsened during their win over Real Betis earlier this week, with Marcus Rashford being forced off just before the hour mark. The forward looked sharp throughout the game, getting himself on the scoresheet and assisting Casemiro's winner, but appeared to have picked up an ankle injury, after Sergi Altimira trod on his right foot.
The forward was down for several minutes receiving treatment before his withdrawal, the extent of the injury is not yet known. Rashford went straight down the tunnel, although did re-emerge for the lap of honour after the match and was moving freely, therefore there is hope the injury is not too severe.
With Hojlund already set to miss the start of the season, an injury to Rashford could represent a significant blow to United's attack. The 26-year-old will be searching for a season of redemption following a poor campaign in which he scored only eight goals last season, and will be hoping the injury does not hinder his ability to start the season on the front foot.
Antony
To make matters worse for United, after only 23 minutes on the pitch as a second-half substitute, winger Antony followed Rashford in hobbling off the pitch.
The Brazilian showed his frustration, ripping off his wrist bandage and walking down the tunnel with a team physio, with what appeared to be an issue with his hand. Given that Antony's injury was not brought on by impact like Rashford's, it is unknown how serious the injury is, however, there is hope that the 24-year-old will not be out of action for too long.
The winger's injury looks the least serious out of the four, and Ten Hag will be hoping the Brazilian will be available come the season opener against Fulham on August 16.
United will be disappointed to see their injury crisis of last season continuing into pre-season, with key players at risk of missing the start of the season. Fans will be urging Sir Jim Ratcliffe to dip back into the transfer market ahead of the first game of the season to strengthen United's squad depth and avoid another season of players being forced to play out of position due to injury troubles.
The Red Devils will face rivals Manchester City in this season's Community Shield at Wembley next Saturday, which will give fans an indication of which players are likely to be available for United's first game of the Premier League season, and who could miss out.
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