Manchester United’s Premier League campaign is just three matches old and already there are concerns starting to come to light regarding injuries.
The Reds have started the season with a mixed bag of results. United’s Carabao Cup defeat to Grimsby Town was undoubtedly the low point of the opening fixtures, but there have been signs of encouragement following the victory over Burnley and even in the defeat to Arsenal.
When the Premier League returns a week on Sunday for United, all eyes will be on Ruben Amorim as they travel to Manchester City for the derby. A replica of the result from last season will do the Portuguese head coach wonders, but if he is to do that, he may have to do it without some of his key players.
One star who is a huge concern for the game against City is Lisandro Martinez. The Argentine has been sidelined since February with injury, and while he is back on the grass at Carrington, it is unlikely that he will be able to come straight back into the starting line-up.
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Martinez, should he return against Pep Guardiola’s team, will likely have to settle for a place among the substitutes. As for his defensive partner Diogo Dalot, he has become a fresh concern for United.
The full-back has withdrawn from the Portugal squad recently due to a ‘muscle discomfort’. United will be hoping this is merely a precautionary measure but could call upon Patrick Dorgu to fill in on the left were he to be out of the derby.
Mason Mount hobbled off against City the last time United travelled to the Etihad Stadium and he could miss the side that faces them this time around after playing ’30 minutes’ with an injury against Burnley. His issue does not appear to be too serious and the hope is that he can at least make the bench.
Finally, United will be holding their breath on Matheus Cunha. Despite having not scored for the club yet, the Brazilian has been a near-constant threat for the Reds, so it was a concern when he looked to have picked up a hamstring issue against the Clarets.
Cunha has since taken to Instagram to suggest that he will be ‘back soon’. However, it is unclear whether this means his return shall be swift for the City fixture or not.
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