Manchester Utd Injury News – Smalling Back, Herrera & Evans Next
After Luke Shaw took a hit to the knee in last weekend’s clash against Everton, many Manchester United fans feared the worst but with the player declaring that he is fit and could even line up for the English under 21 national team, things are beginning to ease up around Manchester. The Old Trafford team have seen almost half of its first team players spend some time on the side-lines due to various injuries and this has prompted manager Louis Van Gaal to hand some of the reserve team players their competitive debuts. The most affected section of the squad was the defence line, so much that at some point in time Chris Smalling, Phil Jones, Luke Shaw and Jonny Evans were all out nursing injuries. The Manchester United boss had to design a make-shift defence to salvage the situation with the resulting effect being that since the beginning of this season, the Red Devils have only kept a single clean sheet in their 4-0 victory against the Queen Park Rangers. However, a breath of relieve is being felt around Old Trafford with the news of both defender Phil Jones and midfielder Michael Carrick both returning to training. James Wilson also made a comeback in the Red Devils match against the Toffees last weekend.Notwithstanding, Manchester United will still be hoping to welcome back some of the injured players ahead of the more crucial matches coming up soon. As of today, the Red Devils are still waiting on:
Chris Smalling: Since his arrival from Fulham, Chris has stamped his feet at the heart of Manchester United’s defence and was one of the three defenders tipped by former team-mate Rio Ferdinand to step up their game and fill the void that the team’s defensive exodus will cause. Unfortunately, few days to the Red Devil’s 2-1 victory against the Hammers, Smalling reportedly knocked his knee while in training and has been side-lined since then. The English defender is very diligent while on the ball and can man up to any striker on his good day. In his stead, Louis Van Gaal has been deploying Paddy McNair or Tyler Blacklet to partner with summer arrival Marcos Rojo in the centre back. He is reportedly back to training.
Anders Herrera: Anders made the switch to Manchester United this summer and has since been side-lined due to injury twice. The recent injury which he sustained during the Red Devil’s clash against West Ham has left the 25 year old Spaniard with a crack to the rib. The former Athletico Madrid star has already settled down at the heart of the Red Devil’s midfield and has also formed a functional partnership with Angel Di Maria that allows a continuous flow of passes to the attacking trio upfront. Herrera is expected to play United’s next EPL match after the international break.
Jesse Lingard: The youngster started for Manchester United in their loss to Swansea on the Premier League opening day, but after he sustained an injury to his right leg in the 24th minute in a challenge with Swansea’s Ashley Williams, a shrill of despair must have gone through the ranks at Old Trafford. Lingard received treatment on his leg while on the pitch but was unable to continue. He eventually limped off and was replaced by Adnan Januzaj. Jesse is expected back at Carrington in a couple of weeks.
Jonny Evans: Jonny was confirmed be out of action for about a month after the Manchester United defender suffered an ankle injury in the shocking 5-3 defeat at Leicester City. The Irish international who has a history of ankle troubles and in fact had to undergo a surgery two years ago, is still on crutches after limping off in the first half at the King Power Stadium. Evans has since had a scan and the recent assessment among United’s medical staff is that he could still be out for a couple of weeks.