The start of the 2021/22 Premier League campaign is now less than a fortnight away, meaning the league’s managers are putting the crucial finishing touches to their plans before the big kick-off.
For Manchester United, whose friendly with Preston North End was canceled on Saturday following a coronavirus outbreak at United camp, the season kicks off with a fascinating-looking opening day against Leeds United at Old Trafford.
The battle with Marcelo Bielsa’s side should offer new signing Jadon Sancho and upcoming United center-back Raphael Varane the opportunity to make their competitive debuts for their new club, which means they will both be very focused on the two.
However, United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who watched a 2-2 draw with Brentford last Wednesday, is facing a number of injury issues.
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Dean Henderson
United goalkeeper Henderson, who had to retire from the English squad due to a hip injury during the European Championship, threatened to miss the start of the new season.
However, the former Sheffield United borrower was making good progress and seemed ready to be a pick before going down with Covid-19. He returned to training in mid-July and left United’s training camp in Scotland ahead of the season.
He’s unlikely in the last friendly against Premier League rivals Everton on Saturday.
Return date: August 14th.
Phil Jones
Few players have suffered more injuries in the past 18 months than forgotten center-back Jones. The former Blackburn Rovers ace has not played for United since triumphing in the fourth round of the FA Cup over Tranmere Rovers in January 2020.
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But after such a long rejection, the 29-year-old defender has now returned to training.
Solskjaer, who spoke to Brentford after the draw, said: “Phil Jones is coming back. He will start training over the weekend when we have all on Monday which is a big plus for him.”
“I’ve had similar problems in my career and he’s such a professional good guy.
“It’s great to see him ready to train again. Hopefully Jonah can train with us first and then play time soon.
“Whether he can play in the 23ers at the beginning or if he has reserves, or we can arrange something for him behind closed doors because I know the feeling of being outside for so long.
It’s been on the sidelines for a long time for Phil Jones.
(Image: Ash Donelon / Manchester United via Getty Images)
“You just want to feel your way into it. He’s always served the club and it was time to take care of him and his own health, but now he’s ready to train with us.”
Return date: As soon as he has become fit through U23 football.
Alex Such
Since Luke Shaw reported much later than most of the squad for the pre-season due to international commitments at Euro 2020, United would have wanted Telles to be injured as a left-back as the last one.
However, the Brazilian, formerly Porto, will miss the start of the season after sustaining an ankle injury in training last month.
He is expected to be paused for the entire first month of the campaign, with Solskjaer recently admitting that the news was “worse than we hoped”. Telles was pictured on crutches over the weekend.
Return date: September.
Anthony Martial
The Frenchman Martial has been out with a knee problem since March, which means he missed the closing stages of last season and then Euro 2020.
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However, he made good progress over the summer and is now about to return. He’s returned to training, but in Solskjaer’s latest update, Martial isn’t yet training alongside the first team.
The United coach said: “Anthony Martial has come to us too but he’s not yet in team training. He’s recovering from a knee injury and it looks good.”
Return date: Unknown
Marcus Rashford
Rashford will miss up to two months of the new season after making the decision to undergo shoulder surgery.
The United Academy graduate played with both his shoulder problem and a foot injury from Euro 2020, so a time out of the line of fire will serve him well in the long run.
On Friday, United issued a statement to confirm that Rashford will be operated on.
It read: “After consultation between Marcus, the trainer, the club’s medical staff and specialists, Marcus will be operated on immediately to repair his shoulder injury.
“He will now focus on his rehabilitation to get back as soon as possible.”
Return date: end of September / beginning of October.
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