Manchester United are in danger of disappearing from the Europa League positions after losing ground again to Newcastle last weekend in their quest for sixth place.
United drew 1-1 at home to a Burnley team battling relegation from the Premier League, and were wasteful in front of goal once again.
Erik ten Hag’s side are now just a point ahead of sixth-placed Newcastle as the two sides meet in the penultimate match of the season. They will also have to travel to join in-form Crystal Palace and welcome title-chasing Arsenal to Old Trafford.
United’s recent poor form has been partly down to injury problems. They currently have seven experienced defenders on the injured list, including left-backs and five center-backs.
In recent matches, midfielder Casemiro has had to support Harry Maguire in defense. Two of their top five scorers this season, Marcus Rashford and Scott McTominay, are also injured and it is unclear whether they will be fit in time to play Palace at Selhurst Park next Monday night.
Summer signing Mason Mount has featured in six of the final eight matchday squads after returning from a lengthy injury absence and could play a bigger role against the Eagles.
Marcus Rashford
Rashford has missed United’s last two Premier League games after being replaced late with an injury against Coventry in the tumultuous FA Cup semi-final.
There has been no update on his status, other than that he is a doubt for Burnley. Ten Hag will aim to get him back against Palace.
Potential return date: May 2024.
Raphael Varane
He was substituted at half-time due to a muscular injury in United’s 4-3 loss against Chelsea on April 4. The French defender has been absent since and was unable to make the matchday squad against Burnley.
It’s uncertain when he’ll return, but it’ll most likely be during May.
Potential return date: May 2024.
Victor Lindelof
Lindelof was sent off after 69 minutes against Brentford on March 30 with a hamstring injury. He was out for a month and has yet to make the match squad since. The club has made no recent statement on when he will return.
Possible return date: May 2024
Lisandro Martinez
Martinez has had an injury-riddled season. He was a revelation for United last season, starting 45 games in all competitions. The Red Devils suffered a dip in form after the Argentine missed the last 12 games of their season due to a metatarsal fracture and lacked his toughness.
The 26-year-old has suffered foot, knee and calf injuries this season and has only featured in eleven games. He last played against Brentford on March 30, coming on as a substitute for the injured Lindelof. Shortly afterwards he suffered a calf injury during training and has been absent since.
Ten Hag confirmed last week that he has resumed training and is confident that he will be back in action soon. “I think we will see them [Luke Shaw, Martinez and Anthony Martial] throughout the season,” the manager said. “They all returned to the field. Next week they are scheduled to move on to team training and may be available for the final weeks. They are making good progress.
Possible return date: May 2024
Johnny Evans
Evans is suffering from a muscle injury and has been out since United’s defeat to Chelsea on April 4. The injury has been described as “short-term” and it is likely he will be back before the end of the season.
Ten Hag has not provided an update since then, only stating that he is not ready to return for the game against Burnley this weekend.
Possible return date: May 2024
Luke Shaw
After being an ever-present last season, Shaw missed much of the 2023/24 season due to various muscle injuries, making just 15 appearances across all competitions.
He last played against Luton on 18 February and was replaced at half-time. Ten Hag recently confirmed that Shaw will return soon.
Potential return date: May 2024
Tyrell Malacia
Malacia’s absence remained a bit of a mystery. The Dutch left-back was a good replacement for Shaw last season and played 39 games. He has only been called up for one matchday all season and missed United’s match against Nottingham Forest in April with knee pain.
According to The Athletic, Malacia has been suffering from knee pain since the start of 2023, but has overcome the injury. He underwent surgery during the preseason and seemed destined to return last fall.
However, the first surgery did not completely remove the cartilage fragments in his knee and he decided to undergo corrective surgery in November.
Malacia’s rehabilitation has not gone to plan since then, with Ten Hag confirming in March that he is unlikely to return this season. “It’s going to be difficult for him this season to be available,” Ten Hag said. “He will fight. He’s back on the pitch, but not in the team and the process had setbacks. He’s going forwards really slowly.”
Potential return date: Summer 2024
Scott McTominay
McTominay suffered a knee injury against Burnley after coming on as a substitute, and had to be replaced by Mason Mount late on. It’s not clear how serious the injury is yet, but Ten Hag said it’s unlikely he’ll play against Crystal Palace next week. “We have to assess this to determine the diagnosis,” said Ten Hag. “At that time, I don’t know how to come back [against Palace]. I think it’s a little too fast. “”
Potential return date: Sunday May 12 against Arsenal
Anthony Martial
Martial has not been available since the operation due to a groin injury in January. The Frenchman only played 19 times this season and did not play a match day before the fourth of the Carabao Cup against Newcastle on January 11.
Since the Martial Treaty expired in summer, it has long been reported that he has now played his last match for the club, but Ten Hag recently said that he could be seen before the end of the season. Potential return date: May 2024
Willy Kambwala
Kambwala was absent from United’s 2–2 draw against Bournemouth on 13 April due to an undisclosed injury. The 19-year-old Frenchman has been a revelation this season and has managed to fill in as a centre-back following an injury crisis. Ten Hag has not yet confirmed when he will return.
Potential return date: Unknown
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