Erik ten Hag has confirmed that Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Donny van de Beek have suffered "longer-term" injuries and won't be available for Manchester United in the near future.
The Red Devils boss, speaking in his pre-Omonia Nicosia press conference on Wednesday afternoon, revealed that Wan-Bissaka and Van de Beek will not be playing anytime soon. This is a huge blow, especially to the latter, whose World Cup hopes could now be all but over with the Netherlands' opening game taking place against Senegal on November 21 just under six weeks away.
Meanwhile, Ten Hag also admitted that Anthony Martial is unavailable for United's home game against the Cypriot side as they look to make it three wins from four matches in their Europa League group. Likewise, Harry Maguire will not feature for the Red Devils after missing the last three matches with a 'minor' issue.
Ten Hag said: "Not today [Martial training], we will see how it develops for Sunday. Harry is out. And longer-term Donny van de Beek and Aaron Wan-Bissaka."
Wan-Bissaka has struggled for game time this season since Ten Hag's appointment at the end of last season, with the former Crystal Palace man playing just four minutes of first-team football this term. He hasn't been in the last six matchday squads, however, and Ten Hag has now confirmed he has sustained a long-term issue.
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The Dutchman didn't give a prognosis on Wan-Bissaka's injury when he was asked about before his side's trip to Omonia last week, but has now revealed he won't be available in the near future. It is also unknown what type of injury Wan-Bissaka has, although he was pictured in the United squad photo on Monday afternoon.
Van de Beek also hasn't featured since the Red Devils' win over Liverpool back in August and hasn't been named on the bench since their success at Leicester City on September 1. It had been said that Van de Beek was suffering with a knock but this seems more severe than first feared.
Martial's latest setback is a massive blow for not just the player, but for United as well. The Frenchman has been influential off the bench for the Red Devils in recent weeks, scoring twice at Manchester City, before grabbing a goal and an assist against Omonia last Thursday.
He was rewarded with his first start of the campaign in the Red Devils' trip to Everton on Sunday, but was taken off after 29 minutes due to a reoccurrence of a hip problem. This paved the way for Cristiano Ronaldo to come in and score his 700th club career goal as United ran out 2-1 winners at Goodison Park.
With United now ready to embark on 10 matches in a month, Ten Hag is relishing the challenge to ensure his squad are ready for each task at hand. They will play three Europa League matches, six more Premier League games and one Carabao Cup tie before the World Cup starts in November.
He explained: "I think all the clubs have the same problem, the teams that play in Europe. We have a squad to cover that, injuries and suspensions will happen, but you have to deal with it as a squad."
