Manchester United ’s UEFA Champions League hopes are all but officially over following a poor run of results last month, although Monday’s 3-0 victory over Brentford provided a welcome boost in their final home game of the season.
Ralf Rangnick was able to welcome back three players for that tie, although he could remain without seven for Saturday’s penultimate Premier League clash with Brighton & Hove Albion, as those out injured continue to struggle.
Here is all you need to know about the current state of play at Old Trafford and the expected return dates for those out on the sidelines.
Harry Maguire
Harry Maguire has missed Man Utd’s last two games after picking up a minor injury prior to last week’s draw with Chelsea, which has kept him out of training and ruled him out of action ever since.
The defender has picked up a niggle in his knee and wasn’t deemed fit enough to be included against Brentford on Monday. Should the England international have returned to training by the end of the week, then he could be in contention to face Brighton on Saturday.
Speaking on Tuesday, Rangnick said: "Harry might be available again. We have to wait and see if he can train the day after tomorrow."
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Jadon Sancho
Jadon Sancho has also missed out on the last two games through illness, with the England international picking up a nasty case of tonsillitis, which had also ruled him out of training since last Wednesday.
Rangnick revealed last week that it was likely the winger could be out for the remainder of the season with the issue, and has been recovering in hospital. However, there may be an outside chance that Sancho can make it back for the final game of the season.
Speaking on Tuesday, Rangnick said: "If [Jadon manages to return] then maybe in the last game. He was in hospital until this morning. He still doesn't feel well so, for sure, not [for Brighton]."
Aaron Wan-Bissaka
Aaron Wan-Bissaka was the third player to miss out once again on Monday, having last featured on the substitutes bench for the 3-1 defeat to Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on April 23.
The right back has been unavailable for the past two games after picking up a knock and the severity remains unclear, as it was expected that he may have returned for the defeat of Brentford earlier this week.
Should the injury not worsen, and if Wan-Bissaka makes a full recovery ahead of Saturday’s fixture with Brighton, then it can be expected that the 24-year-old will be back in the squad as Rangnick’s options remain low.
Marcus Rashford
Marcus Rashford's season looks as though it is at risk of being over after it was revealed that the striker is suffering with bronchitis, which is set to rule him out until at least the final game of the season on May 22.
The England international was named as an unused substitute for Monday's victory over Brentford, and last appeared for the Red Devils in their 1-1 draw with Chelsea last Thursday, in which he started the game and managed 79 minutes.
Rashford will be assessed between now and the end of the season, and the striker will be hoping to at least appear in his side's final game of the campaign against Crystal Palace, especially if he seeks an exit from the club this summer.
Eric Bailly
Defender Eric Bailly has picked up a lower back injury this week which has ruled him out of Saturday's game with Brighton, and it is unclear as to whether he will feature again this season, depending on the severity of his problem.
The Ivory Coast international has found his opportunities limited this campaign and last featured for the Red Devils on December 30 in the 3-1 victory over Burnley at Old Trafford, while he was named on the bench for Monday's win against Brentford.
The centre-back has featured just seven times in all competitions for Rangnick's side this season, and there are doubts as to whether he will add to that number over United's final two matches of the 2021/22 campaign.
Paul Pogba
Paul Pogba looks as though he has played his last game for Man Utd after it was revealed that the calf injury he sustained against Liverpool on April 19 is set to keep him out for the rest of the season.
The midfielder had to be withdrawn after just 10 minutes from the Anfield clash, and the Frenchman has since been assessed and will need at least four weeks to recover, meaning a return before the end of the season remains unlikely.
On April 22, Rangnick said: "The doctor told me that it will take four weeks, minimum, for him to recover and, since the last game is at the end of May, I don't think it's very likely that he will be able to play again."
Luke Shaw
Left back Luke Shaw continues to be out for up to another month at least with a calf injury, in which he had two metal bolts in his leg removed four weeks ago, meaning that he will once again be out of action on Saturday.
After featuring for just 45 minutes of the 1-1 draw against Leicester on April 2, the England international is set for another lengthy spell on the sidelines and there are doubts over whether he will be able to make it back from injury before the end of the season.
Speaking on April 15, Rangnick said: “He will be at least another four or five weeks. It will be difficult for him to be available for the outstanding games."
