Man Utd suffer double defensive blow as 13 players could miss Liverpool clash

12 December 2023 , 21:10

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Man Utd suffer double defensive blow as 13 players could miss Liverpool clash

Manchester United lost both Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw in the first half of their crucial Champions League clash with Bayern Munich on Tuesday night.

Maguire pulled up with a groin problem in the first half of the match and was replaced in defence by Jonny Evans, while Shaw picked up a hamstring strain in the closing moments of the opening 45 minutes, with Aaron Wan-Bissaka coming on to replace him at half-time.

Both Maguire and Shaw join a huge United injury list which also includes defenders Lisandro Martinez, Victor Lindelof and Tyrell Malacia, midfielders Casemiro, Christian Eriksen and Mason Mount and winger Amad Diallo.

Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial missed the Bayern game through illness, while Jadon Sancho is still being left out by Erik ten Hag and skipper Bruno Fernandes will be suspended for the trip to Liverpool on Sunday.

Should all the other currently absent players join the Portuguese in missing the game then that will take the number of United absentees to 13 for a fixture they were thrashed 7-0 in last season.

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Maguire was forced off for United in the first half (Matt West/REX/Shutterstock)

Maguire had initially tried to continue against Bayern Munich after pulling up with a groin injury near the touchline, but he appeared in some distress and was swiftly replaced by Evans, who came on to partner Raphael Varane at the back.

The Shaw switch was made at half-time, with Wan-Bissaka coming on at right-back and Diogo Dalot switching over to the left. United ended up losing the game 1-0 at Old Trafford, as Kingsley Coman's winner consigned them to no European football for the remainder of the season.

When pressed on the injuries after the match, United boss Erik ten Hag said: " I can’t say at this moment [how serious the injuries are], obviously we have to wait another 24 hours. We’ll have an assessment, a diagnosis and then you’ll have to wait for it."

Mark Jones