The French defender suffered a left foot injury in a friendly match against Arsenal and will be sidelined until November. However, he is not the only injured player in Erik Ten Hag's team.
Leny Yoro, the highly anticipated young French center-back who recently joined Manchester United from Lille in a high-profile transfer worth €62 million, has been dealt an unfortunate setback before even making his official debut for the club.
The 18-year-old defender, who was brought in with great expectations to strengthen United’s defense, will now have to wait three months to take to the field after suffering a serious left foot injury during a pre-season match against Arsenal. The match, which ended in a 1-2 defeat for United, saw Yoro substituted at halftime due to discomfort, and subsequent medical assessments have revealed the severity of the injury.
This news comes as a significant blow to both the player and the club. Yoro, who had been showing promising signs during training sessions and was eager to prove himself on the pitch, was seen on Wednesday boarding a team bus on crutches, with his left foot encased in a protective boot. The image of the young talent, who had been touted as one of the future stars of United’s defense, in such a state has understandably caused concern among fans and the club’s management. The confirmation that his recovery will sideline him until November is particularly disheartening, as it means Yoro will miss the crucial opening months of the season, including key fixtures in both domestic and European competitions.
In the same vein, Manchester United’s injury woes do not end with Yoro. The English press has reported that new signing Rasmus Højlund is also facing an extended period on the sidelines. The Danish forward, who was expected to add firepower to United's attack, has been diagnosed with a muscle injury that will keep him out of action for six weeks. This comes at a particularly inopportune time, as United's forward options are already stretched, with pre-season preparations in full swing and competitive matches fast approaching.
Adding to the mounting injury concerns, there is growing apprehension surrounding Marcus Rashford’s fitness. Rashford, one of United’s most important players, was involved in a friendly against Real Betis in the United States, where he not only scored United's equalizing goal from the penalty spot but also provided an assist for Casemiro's goal. However, his performance was overshadowed by the sight of him leaving the field in the second half with what appeared to be a physical issue. Rashford’s potential injury could pose a significant problem for manager Erik Ten Hag, who is already grappling with an injury-hit squad.
These developments are far from ideal as Manchester United gears up for the new season. The Red Devils are set to face Manchester City in the English Super Cup on August 10, a match that will provide an early test of their readiness to challenge for silverware this season. The fixture is particularly significant, not only because it pits United against their city rivals but also because it offers a chance to make a statement about their ambitions under Ten Hag's leadership.
Following the Super Cup, United’s Premier League campaign begins with a home match against Fulham, a team managed by the Portuguese coach Marco Silva, on August 16. With key players potentially unavailable, Ten Hag may be forced to rely on the depth of his squad, including giving opportunities to younger players or recent signings who may not have been expected to feature so prominently so early in the season.
The situation at Manchester United highlights the precarious nature of pre-season preparations, where injuries can quickly disrupt the best-laid plans. For the club’s supporters, there is hope that the team can weather this storm of early injuries and still make a strong start to the season. For Leny Yoro and Rasmus Højlund, the focus will now be on recovery, with both players undoubtedly eager to return to action as soon as possible to contribute to United’s quest for success across multiple competitions. In the meantime, Erik Ten Hag and his coaching staff will need to carefully manage the squad’s fitness levels and make tactical adjustments to cope with the current challenges.
