Man United promote 18-year-old centre back to first-team squad

Man United's treatment room has been one of the busiest in the Premier League this season but their injury woes seem to have remarkably continued this week, with Raphael Varane and Jonny Evans being added to their list of absentees.

It's been an injury ravaged season for Erik ten Hag's side, and in the midst of a lack of defenders, the Dutchman has reportedly called an 18-year-old centre back up to train with the first-team squad ahead of their clash against Bournemouth.

On Thursday, the club announced that Varane and Evans would be unavailable for this weekend's fixture having both suffered muscle injuries. The France international is now set to be sidelined for a 'few weeks' after sustaining the injury during their 4-3 defeat by Chelsea, while Evans' return has not been confirmed but is not expected to be as serious.

Meanwhile, Lisandro Martinez and Victor Lindelof have also recently been ruled out with injuries - meaning Harry Maguire and Willy Kambwala are the only two central defenders available for Saturday.

In their absences, Manchester Evening News report that the Red Devils have called academy star Jack Kingdon up to train with the first-team on Friday.

The 18-year-old joined United from Morecombe back in 2020 for a 'six-figure fee' and has risen through the acadmy ranks at Carrington to be one of their most promising young stars.

Kingdon, who has represented Scotland at age-grade level, has been a shining light in United's U18 Premier League side, scoring twice in 14 appearances to help the young Red Devils rise to the top of the league table.

He has also been utilised heavily in United's 2023-24 UEFA Youth League campaign, making four appearances in United's U18 fixtures against Galatasaray and FC Copenhagen.

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