Manchester United have been dealt a hammer blow after new £59million signing Leny Yoro was ruled out for three months and Rasmus Hojlund for six weeks.
Both players limped off in the first half of United’s defeat to Arsenal at the SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles on Saturday. Yoro has fractured a metatarsal in his left foot and Hojlund suffered a hamstring strain.
The news is a massive setback for manager Erik ten Hag ahead of the new season. The United boss will look to new £36.5m signing Joshua Zirkzee to replace Hojlund up front, and is likely to step up his efforts to sign another centre-back to fill the gap left by Yoro.
The 18-year-old Frenchman only signed for United from Lille two weeks ago and was playing his second game for the club against Arsenal. He suffered the injury just after the half-hour mark and went off immediately after receiving treatment.
When Yoro was spotted on crutches with his left foot in a protective boot three days after the game on Tuesday, it raised concerns that the injury was more serious than first feared.
Leny Yoro was spotted on crutches with his left foot in a protective boot at the club's base
United confirmed on Wednesday that he will be out for three months, although the player wants to stay on the club’s tour of the US and will be assessed further when he gets back to Manchester next week.
With Lisandro Martinez yet to resume training after playing for Argentina in the Copa America, Ten Hag could be left to choose between Harry Maguire, Jonny Evans and Victor Lindelof in central defence. Lindelof, in particular, is facing an uncertain future at Old Trafford but may now stay to provide cover.
United have also been pursuing a second centre-back signing this summer having held talks with Bayern Munich over Matthijs de Ligt and seen an improved bid of £50m for Jarrad Branthwaite rejected by Everton.
The setbacks are reminiscent of United’s problems on tour in the US last summer when Kobbie Mainoo and Amad Diallo suffered injuries that kept them out of action until November and December respectively.
Diallo damaged knee ligaments in the opening tour game against Arsenal in New Jersey and required surgery, while Mainoo hurt his foot in the defeat to Real Madrid in Houston and did not play again for another four months.