Erik ten Hag could be travelling to Anfield with a depleted Manchester United squad after 13 first-team players are considered ‘potential absentees’ for the Liverpool clash.
The United manager watched on as the Red Devils’ disappointing Champions League campaign came to an end on Tuesday after their 1-0 defeat to Bayern Munich.
The Red Devils finished bottom of Group A and conceded a whopping 15 times, with FC Copenhagen and Bayern progressing to the knockout stages of the competition.
United’s loss at Old Trafford to Bayern has further piled the pressure on Ten Hag, who has faced an uphill task this season over his side’s poor results and consistency.
Ten Hag faces an even bigger test this season when United travel away on Sunday to face arch-rivals Liverpool, who are currently top of the Premier League table.
Ten Hag to miss key United players for Liverpool clash
Ten Hag will be without club captain Bruno Fernandes for the Liverpool clash after the United midfielder picked up a suspension in the 3-0 defeat to Bournemouth.
Casemiro has been spotted back in training at Carrington after being out of action for United since October due to an ankle injury he picked up on international duty.
However, the 31-year-old ex-Real Madrid midfielder remains an uncertainty for the Liverpool clash and is racing to return to full fitness after his spell on the sideline.
Jadon Sancho is also unavailable for the Red Devils after being excluded from the first team over his rift with Ten Hag, with the United outcast’s future still in doubt.
Lisandro Martinez is currently sidelined due to an injury and Tyrell Malacia has also been a long-term absentee for United this season due to an injury.
13 potential United absentees for Anfield trip
Ten Hag was dealt a major blow in the Bayern defeat after former United captain Harry Maguire was forced to come off in the first half due to injury.
Luke Shaw showed signs of discomfort and saw out the first half, only for the United full-back to not return after half-time and was replaced by Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
Both Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford missed the Bayern clash due to illness, with the two United stars considered potential doubts for the Anfield trip.
Posted below are the 13 ‘potential absentees’ for United, according to Sky Sports.
- Casemiro
- Christian Eriksen
- Tyrell Malacia
- Lisandro Martinez
- Bruno Fernandes
- Mason Mount
- Victor Lindelof
- Jadon Sancho
- Amad Diallo
- Harry Maguire
- Luke Shaw
- Anthony Martial
- Marcus Rashford
Speaking on Shaw after the Bayern match, Ten Hag told TNT Sports (via Manchester United’s official website): “I can’t say in this moment.
“We obviously have to wait 24 hours and then we will have an assessment and diagnosis so we have to wait for it.”
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