Manchester United go in search of their first points of the season when they welcome Liverpool to Old Trafford for the north west derby on Monday night, as they sit bottom of the league after losing their first two games.
Erik ten Hag continues to remain without Anthony Martial, who shone in pre-season, but welcomed back wantaway striker Cristiano Ronaldo to the starting lineup against Brentford last weekend. However, there are a few others who could remain out of action against the Reds.
Here is all you need to know about the current state of play at Old Trafford and the expected return dates for those out injured.
Anthony Martial
United forward Anthony Martial remains sidelined through injury after missing the first two games of the season with a hamstring issue, but he could be nearing a return to action after rejoining first team training this week.
The Frenchman is still yet to regain full fitness but with a full week of training behind him heading into Monday’s tie with Liverpool, it is hoped that he may be rewarded with at least a place on the bench at Old Trafford, although he will face a late fitness test.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference on Friday, Ten Hag said: "The good news is that Anthony Martial is back in training with the team."
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Victor Lindelof
Swedish defender Victor Lindelof has been left out of United’s first two matchday squads of the season after picking up an injury and hasn’t featured since starting in the 1-0 friendly defeat to Atletico Madrid in pre-season on July 30.
Lindelof had picked up a knock prior to the opening weekend defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion on August 7 and was still unfit for the 4-0 defeat to Brentford last week. However, it has been revealed that he is yet to return to training and will therefore be unavailable once again against Liverpool.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference on Friday, Ten Hag said: "Victor has not returned to the training pitch."
Facundo Pellistri
United youngster Facundo Pellistri has been forced out of United’s first two games of the season after picking up an ankle sprain during the 1-0 defeat to Atletico Madrid in their penultimate pre-season friendly of the summer at the end of last month.
Pellistri came on as a 76th minute substitute for Anthony Elanga in that game, but was forced off through injury just 15 minutes later and will continue to remain on the sidelines until next month, meaning he is ruled out of Monday’s clash with Liverpool.
Speaking on August 12, Ten Hag said: "The prognosis is that he will not return before September."
Brandon Williams
United left back Brandon Williams continues to recover from the ‘small issue’ that he picked up over the summer which ruled him out of every pre-season game and the opening two fixtures of the 2022-23 campaign.
Last month, the 21-year-old took to Instagram to say: "My injury, I told myself to deal with it and bounce back stronger. My goal is to play in-front of the best fans in the world", yet his future at the club still remains in the balance.
However, Williams is said to be nearing a return to match fitness and is prepared to reassess his options when the January transfer window opens, due to the poor form of United’s current full back options and his ability to operate at both right back and left back.
