Man United face Lyon in the Europa League on Thursday as they look to secure a first leg lead in their quarter-final ahead of next week’s meeting at Old Trafford.
It was hardly a Manchester derby to set the pulses racing but there was some good news for Ruben Amorim as he welcomed one of his injured stars back into the matchday squad.
Luke Shaw has not started for Manchester United in over a year and has only made three substitute appearances this season. The left-back was a surprise inclusion in the United squad on Sunday, though he wasn’t used by Amorim.
He could be set to make his first appearance since December on Thursday night against Lyon and Amorim will be hoping to see a few more of his injured players return.
Ahead of the trip to Lyon, here is all the very latest on the United injury front…
Ayden Heaven
Injury: unknown
Heaven was forced off shortly after half-time in United’s win at Leicester City after tangling with Foxes attacker Patson Daka. He had to be carried off the pitch on a stretcher before later leaving the stadium wearing a protective boot.
As reported by the Manchester Evening News during the international break, the injury is not thought to have been as serious as first feared.
Possible return date: unknown.
Matthijs de Ligt
Injury: ankle
Fellow centre-back De Ligt appeared to turn his ankle in the closing stages of the first half of the defeat at Forest last week.
Speaking ahead of the Manchester derby, Amorim said: “Matthijs has an injury, let’s see how long it is going to take.”
Possible return date: unknown.
Lisandro Martinez
Injury: anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)
Martinez is a long-term absentee after rupturing his ACL in United’s 2-0 defeat to Crystal Palace at the start of February. He underwent successful surgery and is continuing with his recovery.
United have not put a specific timeframe on how long he will be out for, but he will not play again this season. ACL injuries usually take around six months to fully recover from.
Possible return date: August.
Jonny Evans
Injury: muscle
Evans has missed United’s last 19 matches with a muscle issue he suffered back in December. He was last in the matchday squad when United lost 2-0 to Wolves at Molineux on Boxing Day.
He last made an appearance when United lost 4-3 to Spurs in the Carabao Cup on December 19.
Possible return date: unknown.
Kobbie Mainoo
Injury: unknown
Mainoo suffered an unspecified injury ahead of United’s 1-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur in February and Amorim said he expected to be without the England ace for “weeks”.
Amorim said on Friday: “I think Kobbie is returning to training, so we will see, we will assess for this game (against Manchester City). He cannot play a full game, it’s a long time without training.”
Mainoo did not make the matchday squad against City but could be available on Thursday.
Possible return date: April 10 (Lyon, A).
Amad
Injury: ankle
United lost Amad to an ankle injury prior to the defeat at Tottenham and Amorim admitted he expected to be without him for the rest of the season.
However, speaking after the draw with Real Sociedad in Spain, Amorim revealed he could be back in the latter stages of the campaign, offering encouragement he could still have a part to play this term.
Amorim said: “Even Amad, we will see in the end of the last month. I don’t want to say anything but I have the hope to have Amad before the end of the season.”
Possible return date: May.