Injuries have been a problem at Manchester United for some time now.
Erik ten Hag regularly cited his list of absent players when discussing United’s patchy form during his final year or so in charge and Ruben Amorim may be presented with a similar issue.
And while Amorim will not want to use injuries as an excuse for poor performances – a criticism that was aimed at Ten Hag for a long time – the Portuguese would love a fully fit United squad for his first game in charge. There’s lots of attention particularly on Leny Yoro who, despite signing for United in the summer, is yet to make his competitive debut for the club.
The Sporting News assesses the current injury list at United, when players are expected back and the general picture ahead of Amorim’s first match in the dugout.
Which Man United players are out injured?
Kobbie Mainoo, Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw, Leny Yoro and Tyrell Malacia are United’s main injury concerns right now.
Mainoo picked up a muscle injury in United’s goalless draw at Aston Villa in October, Maguire has been sidelined since that same game, while left-backs Shaw and Malacia have been out since the start of the season. Malacia, in fact, hasn’t played a competitive match for United since May 2023.
Ruud van Nistelrooy hinted recently that Malacia could play some games for the Under-21 team to rebuild fitness after a long lay-off. That’s good news for United, as is the fact Shaw and Yoro are all back in training at Carrington now.
Shaw featured for England at Euro 2024 but has needed time since the summer to recover from a calf problem. He’s a key player for United when fit.
Yoro was an exciting £52million ($66m) signing from Lille in July but sustained a serious foot injury on United’s pre-season tour of the USA. There are high hopes for the teenage centre-back at the club.
???? HE’S HERE!! ❤️#MUFC pic.twitter.com/HNMCN1XvNd
— Stretford Paddock (@StretfordPaddck) November 11, 2024
Man United injury details and return dates
Here are all those injuries and when United might expect to see the player(s) return. Amorim will be hoping and praying there are no fresh concerns for the club after this week’s international fixtures.
| Player | Type of injury | Expected return |
| Luke Shaw | Calf | November 24 |
| Tyrell Malacia | Knee | Not known |
| Leny Yoro | Foot | December |
| Kobbie Mainoo | Hamstring | November 24 |
| Harry Maguire | Muscular (leg) | December |
Ruben Amorim’s predicted Man United lineup for first game
It would be a major boost for Amorim if Luke Shaw and Kobbie Mainoo are fit enough for the new manager’s first game away at Ipswich on November 24th. The England pair should both be automatic picks when fully fit and could slot into Amorim’s favoured 3-4-3 system. It’s of huge benefit to Amorim that neither are on England duty during the current international break, so he and his staff can assess them.
With Malacia hopefully picking up training time and match minutes with the United youth sides, he could be back in first-team action before 2024 if all goes well.
Maguire and Yoro should return in December to boost the defence but Amorim will probably have to cope without the centre-backs for the time being. Lisandro Martinez is now considered a doubt for United’s next game, having pulled out of Argentina duty with an unspecified issue.
Amorim will have to decide between Mainoo and Casemiro to partner the in-form Manuel Uguarte – with whom the manager has worked before – in the midfield two. Then it could be Shaw at left wing-back, if fit, with one of Diogo Dalot or Noussair Mazraoui dropping out or dropping back to the defensive trio. Alternatively, Shaw could play as the left-sided centre-back.
Predicted United XI vs Ipswich (3-4-3): Onana – Lindelof, De Ligt, Martinez – Mazraoui, Mainoo, Uguarte, Dalot – Fernandes, Hojlund, Amad.