Manchester United is set to face Fulham at Old Trafford on Saturday without the services of Rasmus Hojlund and Luke Shaw.
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Hojlund, who recently joined the list of injured players, will be sidelined for a relatively shorter period, approximately two to three weeks, according to manager Erik ten Hag. Despite the Danish player’s impressive goal-scoring form, the injury comes as a setback for the team.
On the other hand, Luke Shaw, who sustained a muscle injury during the previous weekend’s victory at Luton, is expected to be absent for several months. With Tyrell Malacia still recovering and unavailable, there is currently no natural left-back for Ten Hag against Fulham.
Potential replacements include Victor Lindelof and Sofyan Amrabat, who have filled in at left-back at various points this season. Diogo Dalot, who featured in that position during Shaw’s previous absence, is also a viable option.
The injury update did not provide information on Tyrell Malacia, Mason Mount, or Aaron Wan-Bissaka, all of whom are yet to return to training. Anthony Martial and Lisandro Martinez are still in the rehabilitation phase.
Erik ten Hag acknowledged the impact of the injuries on the team’s season, stating, “Yeah, of course that is an issue, but that is also the same at other clubs. We have to deal with this. I now have the feeling we can [better deal with it] than we did back in autumn. But still, it is an issue when the depth of the squad has to prove it.”
As Manchester United navigates these challenges, Fulham is also dealing with its own team dynamics. Joao Palhinha is suspended for two matches due to accumulating 10 yellow cards in the league, and Raul Jimenez is sidelined with a hamstring problem.
In Fulham’s team news, manager Marco Silva mentioned that Willian, although needing a fitness test, could be available. Armando Broja, who missed the last game due to a virus, is expected to feature after recovering.
The injury situation adds an additional layer of complexity to the upcoming match, making it crucial for both teams to adapt and strategize in the face of these challenges.
