Manchester United have been dealt a significant setback in their preparations for the new season with injuries to both Rasmus Hojlund and Leny Yoro. The club confirmed on Friday that the Danish forward will be sidelined for six weeks due to a hamstring injury, while the young French defender faces a three-month layoff after sustaining a foot problem.
The news comes as a major blow to manager Erik ten Hag, whose side has already faced injury issues in recent seasons. With the Community Shield clash against Manchester City on August 10th rapidly approaching, the Red Devils will be forced to contend with a depleted squad.
Both Hojlund and Yoro were forced off the field during pre-season friendlies. The former was substituted early in the game against Arsenal, while the latter suffered his injury in the same match. Additionally, star forward Marcus Rashford limped off during the recent victory over Real Betis, raising concerns about his fitness.
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Ten Hag has adopted a cautious approach to Rashford’s injury, indicating that the club will not rush the England international back to action. “We have to wait,” the manager said. “Of course, we don’t want to risk going into the season next week already and into an important game.”
United’s injury woes come at a critical juncture, with the Premier League season set to kick off on August 16th with a home match against Fulham. The club will also face Liverpool in their final pre-season friendly in South Carolina on Saturday.
The absence of Hojlund, who was signed from Atalanta for a substantial fee, is particularly concerning given the club’s need for attacking reinforcements. The young forward was expected to play a key role in Ten Hag’s plans for the upcoming campaign.
The injuries to both Hojlund and Yoro will undoubtedly test the depth of Manchester United’s squad and could have a significant impact on their performance in the early stages of the season. The club’s medical team will be working tirelessly to ensure that the injured players return to full fitness as quickly as possible.
As the Red Devils prepare for a crucial period, the focus will now turn to the remaining fit players in the squad and their ability to step up in the absence of key personnel.
