Erik ten Hag has confirmed that Aaron Wan-Bissaka may not make his Manchester United return in this weekend’s Premier League clash with Aston Villa after the defender appeared to pick up a problem in training.
To think, an injury crisis which had derailed the early months of Manchester United’s season was supposed to be easing. After welcoming Casemiro, Luke Shaw and Harry Maguire back into the squad, Ten Hag then lost Lisandro Martinez to for potentially up to two months.
One step forward, another back in the wrong direction.
Martinez will, obviously, play no part in Sunday’s trip to Villa Park. And while Aaron Wan-Bissaka is not yet officially ‘out’ himself, the right-back is certainly doubtful after pulling out of training on Thursday.
Manchester United face Aaron Wan-Bissaka blow
“Aaron Wan-Bissaka, today, was training,” Ten Hag tells the Man United website. “But then he dropped out. So I don’t know, in this moment, where he is and what is the diagnosis.
“Hopefully, he is not too bad.”
Wan-Bissaka has missed both of United’s last two Premier League games, the 4-3 triumph over Wolves and the Alejandro Garnacho-inspired hammering of West Ham. Fortunately, in his absence, Diogo Dalot has produced two of his finest performances of the campaign, making one stirring defensive block to deny Jarrod Bowen an almost certain goal last time out.
Ten Hag also confirms that neither Mason Mount nor Tyrell Malacia – both long-term absentees – will be ready to make their return against an Aston Villa side stunned by Chelsea in the FA Cup in midweek.
“Mason and Ty are not ready to return to the squad,” the Dutchman adds.
United travel to Aston Villa on Sunday
It remains to be seen who will be tasked with stepping into Martinez’s boots in the left-sided centre-back role. Ten Hag could opt for Maguire or Victor Lindelof. There is also Luke Shaw, but it seems unlikely he will slot in due to the lack of cover in the left-back spot at present.
“It is a setback, of course. Licha was just returning,” Ten Hag sighs.
“You see his contribution to the team when he is playing. He brings, apart from his technical skills, also a mentality in the team. It is a big setback for Licha. He is very disappointed but he is a fighter and he will back. He will be back stronger.
“We think he will still be back by the end of the season. There are games to play so, as a squad, we have to replace him. We have very good players in that position who will play there and perform there and, as a squad, we have to deal with it.
“We have options, good centre-halves in our squad. The others are also available. Luke can also play there. So I am quite confident that we can keep this process going and that others can fulfil that position and contribute playing high levels.
“Those players are very experienced and are very good players, so it is up to them now to fulfil it.”
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