Manchester, England — Ruben Amorim is facing significant injury challenges ahead of his first match in charge of Manchester United on Sunday afternoon, away at Ipswich Town. Amorim, who took over the reins following Erik ten Hag’s departure, could be without up to seven players, with nearly all of them defenders.
United is struggling in the lower half of the Premier League table, and Amorim is awaiting the return of several international players over the next 48 hours before introducing his tactics at Carrington. The team’s defensive issues, which plagued the final weeks of Ten Hag’s tenure, will continue to affect Amorim’s early games.
Defensive Woes for Amorim
Several key defenders are currently sidelined, and their fitness is uncertain ahead of the weekend’s fixture:
- Lisandro Martínez: The Argentina international returned to Manchester early after complaining of back pain during the international break. Argentina’s head coach, Lionel Scaloni, confirmed that Martínez’s back issues worsened, and it remains unclear whether he will be fit for the Ipswich match.
“We didn’t expect the case of Lisandro. He had a blow to his back, but the pain increased, and he’s not fit to continue with us,” said Scaloni.
- Harry Maguire: The former United captain is still recovering from the injury he sustained against Aston Villa in October. He is not expected to return until early December.
- Victor Lindelöf: The Swedish centre-back limped off with a hamstring injury during Sweden’s Nations League win over Slovakia on Saturday. His availability for the Ipswich match is doubtful.
- Luke Shaw: The left-back, who has been out with hamstring and calf issues, is expected to be sidelined for a couple more weeks but is back in training.
- Tyrell Malacia: After undergoing two surgeries on his knee, Malacia may finally make his long-awaited return to action, potentially as a substitute, after an 18-month absence.
- Kobbie Mainoo: The midfielder is still recovering from a muscle strain picked up during the match against Aston Villa and is not expected to be in consideration for the Ipswich trip.
Potential Returnees
Despite the challenges, Amorim has some positive news, with the possibility of Leny Yoro making his competitive debut for the club. The summer signing, who fractured his foot during pre-season, has been given medical clearance and could feature against Ipswich.
Amorim is likely to implement his preferred 3-4-3 formation, which was successful during his time at Sporting Lisbon, but the lack of fully fit defenders could hinder his plans for an immediate impact.
As the new manager looks to stabilize United’s position in the Premier League, this weekend’s match at Portman Road against Ipswich will be crucial.
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