Amid a packed schedule this season, Erik ten Hag will need to utilise all areas of his squad.
He admitted so in Wednesday’s press conference ahead of the Europa League loss to Real Sociedad. “We not only have a team, we have a squad, that's clear,” he said.
“We need everyone - we have a lot of games to cover. There is a lot coming in front of us, and the national teams of course - the World Cup - but also all of the cups in England.
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“The Europa League where we are now getting in and, of course, the Premier League." Injuries are part and parcel of the game but every setback will be felt more with the Reds mostly playing two games a week from now until the mid-season break for Qatar 2022.
It’s understandable, then, that Ten Hag will be eager for those on the physio table to get back on the pitch quickly. Four members of his current squad are currently nursing problems.
Luke Shaw
The left-back has been kept out of the starting XI by Tyrell Malacia since his half-time substitution against Brentford. The England international missed the win over Leicester due to a “small complaint” although this remains unspecified.
He was not named in the matchday squad against Sociedad, against whom he was expected to enjoy minutes. Shaw is a doubt for the trip to Moldova with little indication as to when he will return given the ambiguity of his setback.
Expected return date: N/A
Donny van de Beek
Many expected the Dutchman to kickstart his Reds career under former Ajax boss Ten Hag, however a resurgence is yet to occur. He was the only player to feature in every pre-season game but has failed to start a match this term and has enjoyed just 19 minutes of football.
He was left out of the squad against Arsenal due to a knock. The 25-year-old was expected to come back into the fold on Thursday but was omitted again, although may be fine for the trip to Moldova if the match goes ahead in light of the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
Expected return date: Next week
Anthony Martial
Martial has played just 45 minutes of football this season due to persistent injury problems. The striker was ruled out of the defeats to Brighton and Brentford before an Achilles problem has seen him sidelined for the past four matches.
Prior to the Sociedad loss, the attacker had been unable to train with the team and is a big doubt for next week's games if they go ahead.
Expected return date: N/A
Facundo Pellistri
The 20-year-old attacker is considered a fringe player in Ten Hag’s plans after an underwhelming pre-season. His summer ended with a twisted ankle 13 minutes after coming on in the 1-0 defeat to Atletico Madrid in Norway.
He hasn’t been seen since, although Ten Hag is nearing a return to full fitness. Speaking last month, the manager said: "The prognosis is that he will not return before September."
Expected return date: October
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