Man Utd facing injury crisis with five stars struggling for Leicester clash

Manchester United could be without as many as five first-team regulars in Saturday’s vital Premier League clash with unbeaten Leicester City at Old Trafford.

United go into the home date with Brendan Rodgers’ side without a win since the opening day of the season, and having been subject to a furious Ole Gunnar Solskjaer tirade following their 1-1 draw at Southampton last time out.

And with a match against the Foxes promising anything other than a tricky test, United could be forced to go into the match without five regulars, including both first-choice full-backs.

As per the report in the Daily Mirror, United are sweating on the fitness of both Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Luke Shaw for the game.

Wan-Bissaka has been in excellent form for United since a £50m summer switch to the club – here is Wes Brown on why he’s the pick of the club’s summer additions – but the back injury which forced him to pull out of the England squad this weekend threatens his ever-present record for the club.

Shaw also missed out of selection due to hamstring injury sustained against Crystal Palace and which ruled him out of the Saints draw.

Jesse Lingard was another forced to withdraw from England duty; the official reason given as illness and it’s still not known if he’ll be well enough, or will have trained enough, to be considered for Saturday’s encounter.

United are also sweating on Anthony Martial, who has been struggling for a fortnight now with a thigh problem.

And if United’s problems couldn’t get much worse, they’re also likely to be without Paul Pogba, with the midfielder picking up an ankle injury at St Mary’s which forced him out of France contention this week.

Solskjaer opted to use Ashley Young at left-back in place of Shaw and could do so again this weekend, but could be forced to use Victor Lindelof at right-back with one of Phil Jones or Marcos Rojo stepping into the centre of defence. Another potential option at right-back, Diogo Dalot, remains sidelined having visited a ‘miracle doctor’ in China to cure his issues.

The United boss is certain to answer questions about his players’ fitness when he faces the media on Thursday, though the club have been boosted by reports that long-term crock Eric Bailly is making a faster-than-expected recovery.

 

Get the latest personalised Red Devils products on our new TEAMtalk Man Utd shop!