Manchester United are hardly the only club to suffer from a spate of injuries this season. As Erik ten Hag conceded when reflecting on the ever-expanding calendar across the game: «The load on the players is too much.»
However, only one Premier League club — Newcastle United — have lost more players to the treatment room than Ten Hag's depleted Red Devils this term. Ahead of Sunday's Manchester derby, United had sustained a total of 28 separate injuries.
Here are the players who have not recovered in time for a daunting trip to Manchester City's Etihad Stadium.
United's injuries this season have been concentrated on the club's backline. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the ever-changing rearguard in front of Andre Onana has scarcely protected their goalkeeper — only three Premier League clubs have conceded more shots than United this season.
Ten Hag will be without a complete back four for Sunday's showdown with City. Luke Shaw and Lisandro Martinez have been battling through fitness issues throughout the season. While an unfortunate tangle of legs with West Ham United's Vladimir Coufal curtailed Martinez's return, Shaw was swiftly ushered back onto the sidelines after rushing through his recovery from a muscular problem and may not appear again this season.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka's reintegration into the first team has been repeatedly delayed by various knocks and niggles sustained during training sessions. Harry Maguire scored United's equaliser against Fulham last weekend but was ruled out of the narrow FA Cup victory over Nottingham Forest on Wednesday with an unspecified injury. The towering centre-back will not be available for the trip to the Etihad, joining long-term absentee Tyrell Malacia in a crowded treatment room.
Mason Mount'
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