Manchester United’s season has been wrecked by injuries and the problems are showing little signs of improving.
All season Manchester United have had a chronic injury list, and when you think it may be beginning to clear, another player goes down.
The latest injury absence is Harry Maguire. The club have announced Maguire has sustained a muscle injury and now faces three weeks out.
It is a major blow, with Maguire recently left as United’s only fit senior centre-back and left to partner Casemiro in recent weeks. But he has been playing through injury too, and can now continue no more.
Jonny Evans is on the verge of a return and could slot in against Palace, with teenager Louis Jackson primed to step up if required.
Implications of Harry Maguire injury
This injury to Harry Maguire is pretty much the worst news Manchester United could have received right now.
Sure, there are always worse hypothetical scenarios which might occur, but Harry Maguire is one player Manchester United could not afford to lose right now, even for a short period.
It is an injury which could have major implications…
For Maguire’s teammates…
There is now a likelihood Manchester United end up rushing one or more of Harry Maguire’s teammates back to action.
In addition to Evans, Victor Lindelof, Lisandro Martinez, Raphael Varane, Willy Kambwala and Luke Shaw are all out injured.
And when they are fit, rather than being eased back in, they will be expected to get through a full 90 minutes straight away, increasing the risk of getting injured again.
For the title race…
Manchester United take on Arsenal next weekend at Old Trafford. The Gunners’ chances of a win have just gone up. This could be bad news for Manchester City.
For next season…
Manchester United are currently eighth in thePremier League but can move up to sixth with a win over Crystal Palace. However, tough games follow against Arsenal, Newcastle and Brighton.
United’s final league placing could have a bearing on whether United are in the Europa League next season, the Europa Conference League, or miss out on Europe altogether.
For the FA Cup…
Harry Maguire had looked in line to start the FA Cup final. Now, that’s not so sure. He will miss the rest of the league season and faces a battle to be back for Wembley.
However, he could now have to settle for a place on the bench at best. That wasn’t how he wanted his season to end.
For the Euros…
England boss Gareth Southgate will also be looking at this situation nervously. Will Harry Maguire be fit for Euro 2024, and as a starter?
There is a possibility too that he rushes back for the FA Cup final and aggravates his injury further, which would be a major blow for England.
How Harry Maguire injury might impact Erik ten Hag
Losing Harry Maguire has a worrying implication for Manchester United on the end of the Premier League season and the FA Cup final, and this could also impact manager Erik ten Hag‘s future.
There is a chance, though, that Maguire’s injury is the last straw that acts as a ‘get out of jail free card’ for Erik ten Hag.
The manager bemoaned the club’s woeful injury record in a recent interview with Sky Sports, and this backs up his complaints.
Ineos have to determine whether Ten Hag is an unlucky victim of circumstance, or if his training methods are a contributing cause.
But if they decide he’s just been unlucky, then there’s no arguing that Ten Hag enters this final stretch of the season in a near impossible situation due to the injuries ravaging this United side.