Injury Woes Mount for Ten Hag Ahead of Community Shield Clash

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag faces a mounting injury crisis as his squad prepares for the upcoming Community Shield showdown against Manchester City on Saturday. The prestigious fixture, which traditionally marks the start of the English football season, sees the Premier League champions take on the FA Cup winners. However, for United, the build-up to the match has been far from ideal, with several key defensive players potentially sidelined.

As United gears up to face their fierce rivals, Ten Hag has been forced to contend with a series of injuries that threaten to weaken his side’s defensive options significantly. The Dutchman may have to field a makeshift backline, as Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof, Luke Shaw, and Aaron Wan-Bissaka are all in doubt for the match. Adding to Ten Hag’s concerns, Lisandro Martinez, who recently rejoined the squad after helping Argentina retain the Copa America title, may not be match-fit, raising further questions about the defensive solidity United can muster against the attacking prowess of Manchester City.

“From individual to individual, we will assess them and make a decision whether they start, or come from the bench, or they don’t play,” Ten Hag explained in a press conference on Thursday. His cautious approach reflects the delicate balance he must strike between fielding a competitive team and avoiding exacerbating the injuries ahead of a long season.

Harry Maguire’s absence in United’s recent friendly against Liverpool was initially described as precautionary, but Ten Hag admitted that there remains a “question mark” over his availability for the Community Shield. The same uncertainty surrounds Victor Lindelof, who did feature in the friendly but is not guaranteed to be fit for Saturday’s clash. Both Luke Shaw and Aaron Wan-Bissaka are also in doubt, with their conditions being closely monitored in the final days of preparation.

Lisandro Martinez, who only rejoined the team this week, may be included in the squad, but Ten Hag hinted that his involvement could be limited. “We’ll think about Licha [Martinez] to be involved in the game,” said the manager, leaving open the possibility that the Argentine might not start the match.

Further complicating matters for United, summer signing Leny Yoro, who was brought in to bolster the defense, will definitely miss out on the Community Shield after undergoing foot surgery. Yoro, who picked up the injury during a pre-season friendly, is expected to be out for three months, ruling him out of the early part of the campaign. This setback denies Ten Hag the opportunity to integrate the young defender into his system before the competitive season begins in earnest.

In contrast to the defensive woes, Ten Hag received a slight boost with the return of Facundo Pellistri and England’s Kobbie Mainoo to training this week. Both players had been granted extended breaks following their involvement in the Euro 2024 final on July 14. Their return offers some depth in attack, though neither is expected to start.

Despite the injury concerns, United enters the Community Shield with determination. The club has a storied history in the competition, having won the title a record 21 times. “We always want to win, also in all the friendlies. It’s about a trophy, so we will put out a team that is very competitive to win this trophy,” Ten Hag declared, emphasizing the importance of the match while also acknowledging the need to avoid unnecessary risks in pre-season.

As Manchester United prepares to take on Manchester City, the outcome may hinge on Ten Hag’s ability to navigate this injury crisis and field a team capable of standing up to the reigning Premier League champions. The Dutchman’s tactical acumen will be tested, but the Red Devils will undoubtedly aim to start the new season on a high note by claiming the first silverware of the campaign.