 |
| Manchester United’s Danish striker #11 Rasmus Hojlund reacts during the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Crystal Palace at Old Trafford in Manchester, north west England, on September 30, 2023. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP) |
Manchester United could be without Rasmus Hojlund for a critical Champions League trip to Galatasaray, while Christian Eriksen will be sidelined for a month in the latest injury blow to the Red Devils.
Despite Hojlund’s five goals in four Champions League
appearances for the club, United are on the brink of elimination ahead of their
visit to Istanbul on November 29.
United are hoping the 20-year-old will return before the end
of the month after suffering a muscle strain late on in Saturday’s 1-0 win over
Luton.
Eriksen had to be replaced early on in the same game and
will be sidelined for longer due to a knee problem.
Both players have withdrawn from Denmark’s squad for their
final two Euro 2024 qualifiers against Slovenia and Northern Ireland.
Semi-finalists at Euro 2020, the Danes need a maximum of two
points to secure qualification for Germany next year.
“Christian has a knee injury that is set to keep him out for
around a month, while striker Rasmus suffered a muscle strain. It is hoped he
will return before the end of November,” United said in a statement on Monday.
Erik ten Hag has pointed to a huge list of injuries as
mitigation for United’s poor performances this season.
Defenders Lisandro Martinez and Luke Shaw have missed most
of the season, while influential midfielder Casemiro is also currently
sidelined by a hamstring injury.
United are sixth in the Premier League, seven points adrift
of leaders Manchester City.
But they are in an even more precarious position in the
Champions League after three defeats in four games in Group A.
Defeat to Galatasaray would seal their exit, while a draw
would leave Ten Hag’s men having to beat Bayern Munich in their final match to
have any chance of reaching the last 16.
AFP