Most clubs are continuing their preparations for the upcoming season, with many European teams embarking on tours across the USA, where they have scheduled a series of friendlies. One such encounter took place last night between Manchester United and Liverpool.
The Merseysiders were favored to win and easily dismantled their opponents, securing a 3-0 victory at Williams-Brice Stadium. However, the match was disappointing for United fans not just because of the scoreline but also due to the injuries sustained by their players.
During the match, Manchester United’s head coach Erik ten Hag had to replace four players due to injuries, including three key defenders. Victor Lindelöf and Jonny Evans did not return to the field after the break; Lindelöf was rested as a precaution, while Evans watched the second half from the bench due to an injury. Additionally, Aaron Wan-Bissaka was injured in the 80th minute and was replaced by James Scanlon after receiving medical attention. Ten minutes prior, 21-year-old Will Fish could not continue after a collision with Liverpool forward Harvey Blair.
These injuries are not the first for United this pre-season. In previous matches, newcomers Leny Yoro, Rasmus Højlund, Marcus Rashford, and Antony were also forced to leave the field. While Rashford and Antony were able to return to action against Liverpool, albeit not for the entire match, Yoro is sidelined for three months with a leg injury, and Højlund is recovering from a hamstring strain.
One of the main issues for Manchester United last season, which undoubtedly affected their results, was player injuries. If this trend continues into the new season, fans should temper their expectations for significant achievements in this campaign.
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Manchester UnitedPremier League England