It seems like Donny van de Beek can never catch a break. The Dutchman's struggles since joining Manchester United have been well documented, and just when it looked like he had begun to turn a corner, he ended up going around in circles once again.
Van de Beek was handed a surprise start for United in their win over Bournemouth in midweek and gradually grew into the match after a shaky start as he caught up with the pace of proceedings.
Then disaster struck. A freak injury saw Marcos Senesi slip as he battled to win back the ball, with the stumbling midfielder following through heavily on Van de Beek's knee.
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At first, it didn't look so bad, but there were grimaces when replays were shown in the press box. It is remarkable that the 25-year-old managed to hobble off the pitch as the adrenaline took over when a stretcher might have been more advisable.
The early prognosis is not good for the former Ajax midfielder as United continue to carry out investigations to gauge the severity of the injury setback.
It means Van de Beek will miss out on a chance to face former loan club Everton in the FA Cup on Friday night, though the ruthless nature of football means that his troubles represent an opportunity for someone else.
Van de Beek was given a flexible role against Bournemouth, which saw him play on the wing, as an attacking midfielder and on occasion drop back into a central midfield role to pick up the ball.
That was a microcosm of his time at United, with the Dutch midfielder having yet to master a particular role but showing enough versatility to do an adequate job in a few of them.
United won't face a particularly tough task in offsetting the recent performances of their injured midfielder, and that could well be good news for a number of promising youngsters at the club.
Zidane Iqbal has yet to make a senior appearance for United this season, despite impressing during the pre-season tour last summer and is one player who might now get a chance. The 19-year-old has been an unused substitute on ten occasions under Ten Hag, but has shown enough to suggest he is worth a go over the next two matches.
Iqbal's best performances have come while playing in the deep-lying creative role that Eriksen has occupied for much of this season, though that doesn't necessarily spell bad news for the teenager.
Ten Hag has used the Danish playmaker in more advanced roles this season, so there is room for another midfielder to replace Casemiro, with Eriksen shifting to attacking midfield or the left wing instead.
Kobbie Mainoo is another promising youngster highly rated by the United manager, though he is yet to make his senior debut for the club and is one to keep an eye on in the coming week.
The 17-year-old has been a regular in senior training sessions this season and appears to have a better chance of playing time following the recent injury setback for Van de Beek.
United are expected to field a strong side against Everton, though there is a suggestion that there could be heavy rotation against Charlton next Tuesday as one eye turns to the upcoming Manchester derby.
The dilemma is that an opportunity to rotate also means a chance for senior figures like Fred and Scott McTominay to get some minutes under their belts, and Ten Hag has been careful with his use of young players this season.
Iqbal and Mainoo are both attracting loan interest in the January transfer window, further evidence of their obvious talent, though also another reminder of the work they have to do yet before making it at Old Trafford.
They could both do a good job of helping to replace Van de Beek while he is sidelined, but that doesn't mean that they will.
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