Manchester United face a packed festive period upon the resumption of the domestic season.
The Reds have had a five-and-a-half-week lay-off since the dramatic 2-1 win over Fulham in which Alejandro Garnacho scored a stoppage-time winner. The 18-year-old could play an important part for United going forward into the second half of the season, especially in the immediate future.
United play six games in the next month, including three before the new year with the carrot of a top-four place at stake heading into 2023. Erik ten Hag will need as many players as possible staying fit to avoid a disjointed set-up during an important part of the campaign.
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Luckily, he doesn’t have many injury concerns prior to Burnley. But the ones he does potentially have could throw up a few headaches for the manager.
Diogo Dalot
Not much is known about the issue that led to Dalot coming off early in Portugal’s World Cup quarter-final defeat to Morocco. He returned to Carrington on Friday, ahead of the rest of the last-eight departees, who arrived back on Tuesday.
The right-back sat out this week’s training session ahead of Wednesday’s League Cup clash with Burnley. Tyrell Malacia, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Brandon Williams are the replacement options Ten Hag has at his disposal if Dalot is sidelined for a lengthy period of time.
Expected return date: N/A
Raphael Varane
The centre-half collapsed in exhaustion deep into extra time during the World Cup final and had to be replaced. The Frenchman staggered towards the dugouts as he was replaced in what looked a concerning picture for United fans.
However, the Manchester Evening News understands that Varane is not injured and was just spent of energy, quashing fears of a re-emergence of the knee injury that nearly ruled him out of the World Cup. He has been given a further week off following the final and is unlikely to return for Nottingham Forest on December 27.
Expected return date: December 31
Axel Tuanzebe
Tuanzebe is slowly building his way back up to fitness after suffering a long-term injury that forced him into an early exit from United’s pre-season tour of Thailand and Australia. The defender has not played for the Reds since the 2021 Europa League final.
Ten Hag said Tuanzebe is not expected back before Christmas, although the 25-year-old is back on the grass in individual training after being given a specialised recovery programme while the remaining members of the squad flew to Spain for a mid-season training camp this month.
Expected return date: December 31
Teden Mengi
During that trip, Mengi was stretchered off during the 1-0 loss to Real Betis after tweaking a recurring hamstring issue. His loan spell at Birmingham last season was curtailed due to the problem.
He started the match against Betis but couldn’t see out the first half, leaving him looking understandably devastated. However, United say the injury is not as bad as first feared although no timeframe has been given on his return.
Expected return date: N/A
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