Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag could be without as many as seven first-team defenders in Saturday’s Community Shield clash with Manchester City at Wembley.
Defensive injuries were a huge factor in United’s struggles for consistency last season, ultimately conceding 58 times in 38 Premier League games and finishing with a negative goal difference.
Leny Yoro is ruled out of the Community Shield after picking up a foot injury during the pre-season friendly against Arsenal last month. The French centre-back, only recently signed from Lille for an initial £52m, has undergone successful surgery but is set to be out until November.
Harry Maguire is a doubt after missing United’s final pre-season game against Liverpool as a precaution. Victor Lindelof and Aaron Wan-Bissaka are in a similar boat due to being withdrawn in that game. Meanwhile, Luke Shaw and Lisandro Martinez didn’t go on tour as a result of involvement in the finals of Euro 2024 and the Copa America respectively and are only just back in training.
“Harry Maguire missed the [Liverpool] game as a precaution, he is a question mark for Saturday. So we have training and we will have to see whether he is fit enough or not to be available,” Ten Hag said.
“Victor played, but he is also a question mark and so is Azza [Wan-Bissaka]. Luke Shaw too. We have to see about [them] tomorrow.”
He said of the as yet uncertain situation regarding Martinez and his availability: “That is [on an] individual basis and every [player] has a different background.”
Tyrell Malacia is also ruled as he continues to work on building fitness after more than a year out.
Ten Hag does have Diogo Dalot and Jonny Evans to call on. Casemiro also often filled in at centre-back towards the end of last season, while 17-year-old left-back Harry Amass impressed on tour.
Up front, Rasmus Hojlund is missing, likely until after the September international break with a hamstring injury, but new signing Joshua Zirkzee is in line to make his United debut.
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