22 September 2023 , 05:43
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Manchester United could have to wait until after the November international break to welcome back first-choice defenders Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Luke Shaw.
The English duo, who last season established themselves as Erik ten Hag's starting right-back and left-back respectively, both missed Wednesday's damning 4-3 defeat away to Bayern Munich and may not feature again for another two months. Shaw, 28, has been out since United's second game of the season, while team-mate Wan-Bissaka's hamstring injury was only confirmed on Monday.
Now Red Devils supporters have been given a hint at when to expect them back on the pitch. ESPN say there are concerns among staff at Old Trafford that the pair won't return for another two months. That'll be when United are deep into their Champions League and Carabao Cup campaigns - if they remain in the latter.
Wan-Bissaka and Shaw are likely to miss Premier League fixtures against Burnley, Crystal Palace, Brentford, Sheffield United, Manchester City, Fulham and Luton. The aforementioned break begins the week commencing Monday, November 13, with a round of international fixtures in October to come before that.
While Shaw's muscle injury had always been described as fairly long term by manager Ten Hag, the Red Devils were more optimistic in their statement on Wan-Bissaka. United said on Monday that the 25-year-old will miss "several weeks" of action, although now it could be months.
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There is some positive news on the injury front, however, as Ten Hag - who's due to speak to the media on Friday at 1:30pm - hopes to welcome back Raphael Varane and Mason Mount for Saturday's must-win game against Burnley at Turf Moor. The pair trained in build-up to the Bayern loss but, like a host of their team-mates, didn't make the journey to Munich.
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Aaron Wan-Bissaka's injury could keep him out for two months like Luke Shaw (Michael Regan/Getty Images)Harry Maguire pulled out at the eleventh hour, joining Wan-Bissaka, Shaw and fellow full-back Tyrell Malacia in the treatment room alongside young forward Amad. Midfielders Sofyan Amrabat and Kobbie Mainoo have begun training individually at Carrington, while wingers Jadon Sancho and Antony remain unavailable due to off-field issues.
Victory at Turf Moor would end the Red Devils' dire run of three consecutive defeats, having also lost to Arsenal and Brighton before coming up short in their Champions League group stage opener. United then welcome Crystal Palace in the Carabao Cup next Tuesday and centre-back Victor Lindelof knows that his side need to return to winning ways.
"In the Premier League, it's always tough," Lindelof, who's been part of a rudderless defensive unit which has conceded 10 goals in those three defeats, told MUTV. "It's all about the recovery... Everyone is eager to play that game as well, to bounce back and get three points and hopefully keep going after that."