Manchester United's Noussair Mazraoui is set to be sidelined for two months due to a rare heart condition, according to reports.
The Red Devils have endured their worst ever start to a Premier League campaign having picked up just eight points from their opening seven games.
United's fortunes have not been helped by the fact £52million signing Leny Yoro picked up an injury during pre-season and, to make matters worse, they've now been dealt another major blow.
According to Italian journalist Nicolo Schira, £17million summer signing Mazraoui will be sidelined for two months due to a cardiac arrhythmia diagnosis.
Cardiac arrhythmia, also known as an irregular heartbeat, occurs when the heart beats too fast, too slow, or in an irregular pattern.
Man United's Noussair Mazraoui is set to be sidelined for two months due to a rare condition
According to reports, Mazraoui has received a 'cardiac arrhythmia diagnosis'
According to the NHS website, arrhythmias are experienced by more than 2 million people in the UK. Most people with an abnormal heart rhythm can lead a normal life if it is properly diagnosed.
They also note that it is not always possible to prevent an arrhythmia developing, although a healthy lifestyle can lower your risk of developing a heart condition.
Heart problems in football have been a prevalent issue in recent years, with the likes of team-mate Christian Eriksen, Sergio Aguero and Juan Izquierdo all suffering from them.
Three years ago, during Denmark's opening Euro 2020 game against Finland, Eriksen collapsed on the pitch after suffering from a cardiac arrest.
The 30-year-old then became the first top-flight player to be fitted with an Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD) - which has allowed him to continue playing.
Meanwhile, former Man City star Sergio Aguero was diagnosed with cardiac arrhythmia after experiencing chest pains 41 minutes into his first start for Barcelona back in 2021.
The striker required on-pitch medical attention shortly before half-time having complained of dizziness and shortness of breath during Barcelona's game with Alaves.
The summer signing has become a key member of United's side in the early stages of the year
Sergio Aguero was forced to retire after being diagnosed with the same condition in 2021
Aguero was diagnosed with cardiac arrhythmia after experiencing chest pains 41 minutes into his first start for Barcelona after joining the Catalans on a free transfer from Manchester City
The striker was initially told to rest for three months but decided to announce his retirement from professional football during a 'special ceremony' at the Nou Camp after receiving additional test results.
Aguero has opened up on exactly how he felt during the game, claiming it was as though he was 'drowning' and 'about to faint' before revealing he had experienced the same issues in training a week before.
Back in August, Uruguayan footballer Juan Izquierdo died after the 27-year-old collapsed during a Copa Libertadores match.
He was quickly attended by medics on the pitch and was taken to hospital after suffering a 'cardiac arrhythmia' - an anomaly of the heart's rhythm.
In the aftermath, his mother Sandra Viana thanked both Nacional and Sao Paulo for how the clubs responded to the tragedy, while she revealed doctors had explained the cause of his death.
'We wanted to know what caused the arrhythmia because Juan had never had heart problems,' she told Sport890.
Uruguayan footballer Juan Izquierdo died during a match for Nacional back in August
Players had called for medics after Juan Izquierdo collapsed on the field last month
'The doctors studied the case and told us that he had caught a virus. He had only complained of having swollen lymph nodes.
'The doctors told us that the virus had lodged in his heart, and that the impact of the match and the high pace had caused the arrhythmia. That's what the cardiologists and neurologists told me.'
Mazraoui's absence will come as a major loss for United and Ten Hag, given how well the former Ajax full-back had assimilated to life in Manchester.
The 26-year-old featured in all seven of United's Premier League matches thus far and even picked up an assist during their 2-1 defeat to Brighton in August.