18 September 2023 , 12:30
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Aaron Wan-Bissaka has been added to Manchester United's lengthy injury list and is expected to be sidelined for several weeks.
The right-back only came on in the 85th minute of Saturday's 3-1 defeat to Brighton at Old Trafford, but sustained an injury that is set to keep him out for a prolonged period. It means Wan-Bissaka will miss Wednesday's Champions League opener away to Bayern Munich, along with Premier League games against Burnley, Crystal Palace and Brentford.
Wan-Bissaka is also set to miss United's Carabao Cup tie at home to Palace a week tomorrow and their Champions League group game against Galatasaray at home on October 3. United boss Erik ten Hag is already without left-back Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia, centre-back Raphael Varane, midfielders Mason Mount and Sofyan Amrabat, while wingers Jadon Sancho and Antony are unavailable due to off-field issues.
A United statement read: "Aaron Wan-Bissaka is set for a period on the sidelines after sustaining an injury during the closing stages of Saturday’s game against Brighton & Hove Albion. The right-back came on as an 85th-minute substitute, having started the game on the bench after battling illness during the week.
"Further assessment will be needed to determine how long Wan-Bissaka will be out for, but initial indications suggest it will be several weeks," the statement continued. United lost the game against Brighton, with goals from Danny Welbeck, Pascal Gross and Joao Pedro giving the visitors a 3-1 win.
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Aaron Wan-Bissaka made a late cameo against Brighton (Getty Images)
Ten Hag found some positives from the Brighton game despite the result. In particular, he praised goalscorer Hannibal for making an impact from the bench.
"He did what we brought him [on] for, having an impact and bringing energy. He did it," Ten Hag said the Tunisian midfielder. "I think there were more individuals, like Diogo Dalot, [who] played very well, and Marcus Rashford had moments.
"Rasmus Hojlund was a threat all the time. We had some good players on the pitch. We were unlucky, unfortunate. We didn't get what we were looking for and that was the result."
He also addressed the crowd reaction when Hojlund was withdrawn. The home support didn't appear happy when Anthony Martial was introduced in place of the Dane, but Ten Hag explained his new signing is still working his way up to being able to play full 90-minute games.
“I think it was positive, you see that the fans in the first moment in Old Trafford, the reception for him was great, I think he performed very well. So I think it’s good that they give him this signal, this message," the manager said.
"It will give him belief, Rasmus, but everyone knows he came in with a small issue, we built him over the past three, four weeks, he’s not ready for a whole game. And we have many games to play [at] short notice, so yeah, we have to build him also in fitness.