Manchester United secured an important victory over Southampton in their latest Premier League match, but the win was overshadowed by two new injury concerns.
The 3-1 triumph at St Mary’s Stadium, with goals from Matthijs de Ligt, Marcus Rashford, and Alejandro Garnacho, gave United three valuable points.
However, the celebration was muted by the injuries picked up during the game, which could pose significant problems for Erik ten Hag’s squad in the near future.
Lisandro Martinez and Noussair Mazraoui both had to leave the pitch due to injuries, adding to the list of concerns for Ten Hag.
The manager admitted after the game that it was too soon to determine the severity of their injuries, but seeing two key players forced off was an unsettling sight.
With a busy schedule ahead, these fitness issues could complicate the team’s plans.
On a positive note, de Ligt’s substitution was confirmed to be due to cramping rather than a serious injury, giving Ten Hag hope that the Dutch center-back would recover quickly.
De Ligt is a crucial part of United’s defense, and losing him for any significant period would have been a major blow.
These new injuries come at a time when United is already managing several others.
Rasmus Hojlund, Luke Shaw, and Mason Mount are out with short-term issues, though Ten Hag provided an optimistic update, noting that all three are expected to return soon, even though they will miss the next match.
He emphasized the importance of having a fully fit squad, especially with United’s ambitions for the season.
“We need every player available to keep our momentum going,” Ten Hag said, stressing the need for depth in the squad.
Victor Lindelof, who has been dealing with a toe injury, is set to resume training soon, though there’s no official confirmation on when he will be ready for match action.
His return would be a boost to the backline, which is starting to feel the pressure due to these injuries.
Tyrell Malacia, who missed the entire previous season with a long-term injury, has been included in United’s Europa League squad.
Ten Hag confirmed that Malacia is close to full fitness, which would help alleviate some of the defensive strain the team is experiencing.
United’s longest-term injury issue remains Leny Yoro, a young defender who sustained an injury during pre-season.
He isn’t expected to return until the end of the campaign, which has hampered the club’s defensive depth, as Yoro was seen as a promising prospect for this season.
With crucial games approaching, Ten Hag and his staff will need to carefully manage the team’s performance while dealing with these injuries.
While the squad has shown resilience so far, the coach’s careful handling of players’ recoveries—particularly Hojlund, Shaw, and Mount—indicates a focus on preventing long-term complications by ensuring players are fully fit before their return.
As fans wait for further updates on Martinez and Mazraoui, the hope is that United’s injury issues will ease with the return of key players like Hojlund, Shaw, and Mount.
How United navigates this difficult period could have a lasting impact on the season, with younger squad members potentially needing to step up.
