News: On The Sidelines - The 2017/18 Injuries & Suspensions Thread

It looked always very likely that this would be his final season. The question as far as this season is concerned us whether he has nothing left to offer. With AP coming back next year and McTominay even emerging, things are set up more than ever for him to step down. And it makes perfect sense then.
For the remainder of the season though, if he has absolutely nothing to offer, then so be it. But with a player like him, even if he has just a handful of decent games left in him, he definitely could be of some use. Even more so as the team may be looking at a heavy schedule, if they can keep going on multiple fronts. Matic has played so much already so far and Herrera's form so far has been spotty at best. If after being out for so long, he has 4-5 good months left in him, I'll take it, no question.
I hope he sticks around to coach as well: he definitely looks like someone who would bring a lot in that role and be successful.

 

If it's a question of his heart and health condition though, just retire. I know I don't want to see him drop dead on the pitch. I mean, he's not Rojo for God's sake.

 

I obviously don't wish for anything bad to happen to him, but none of us are privy to his condition and how he may have recovered from whatever procedure he went thru recently.
If he went back in training, it only stands to reason it was with the complete blessing of his doctor(s). So if he's up to it physically and it pauses minimal danger to his health, I'm all for him playing some kind of role for the rest of the season. I certainly don't expect him to have a major role in the team going forward either.
If he can not (and him playing presents a real danger to his health and life) then he shouldn't play, clearly: there's nothing more to it...

 

I don't see MC as someone who would be too stubborn to call it quits, but I could understand him wanting to go out on his own terms if he has been given the OK from his medical team. Get him a couple more games if physically possible, then get him in with the academy/U23's asap.

 

More bad news unfortunately on the injury front as Fellaini will be out until the new year.

www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2017/12/16/manchester-united-hit-double-injury-blow-asmarouane-fellaini/

At least McTominay has shown he might be up to the challenge and he can pick up the slack over the next couple of weeks.
Funny how it happens but AP, had he stayed would have probably game time, and plenty of it, as things turned out.
Then again, had he not gone to Valencia, we might never have known that he potentially can be a viable option on either side as a wing player either.

 

Not more game time than at Valencia.

 

Probably not, yet the point stands that it's very likely he would have had his fair share of games at United, under the circumstances. He couldn't have known about the injuries and suspensions so it is what it is at the end of the day. It's just interesting to point out, nothing more really.

 

United do not know what to make of Fellaini's knee injury.

www.espn.co.uk/football/manchester-united/story/3317070/marouane-fellaini-knee-injury-a-mystery-to-man-united-sources

 

Contract extension?

 

Don't see how this is a factor (except being a negative one). If anything, it's probably an issue for both parties in this case.

 

As long as his head and elbows are fine. That's all he uses anyway.

 

Martial (and Darmian) have returned to training today.

www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/man-utd-injuries-martial-darmian-14088527

 

Training ⚽️ #MUFC pic.twitter.com/FEB4OZA5Z7

— Anthony Martial (@AnthonyMartial) December 28, 2017

 

Jose's comments in today's press conference appear to suggest that all the players who were out with injuries vs Burnley will still be out, both for tomorrow, but also Monday's game.
So apart from the long term injuries, that's no Martial or Valencia for those games.

 

Lukaku is expected to miss the next 2 games.

www.skysports.com/football/news/11667/11189973/romelu-lukaku-expected-to-miss-two-games-after-being-stretchered-off-following-clash-to-head

 

Rashford is our only striker for the next two games. Not sure what youth squad member we can use as backup. Wilson maybe.

 

Wilson would be the only one: strikers are the one position we're in short supply at youth level (among the U23s at least).
At least, the second game Lukaku will miss is the FA Cup tie vs Derby. Our next game after that will be on the 15th, giving him enough time hopefully to fully recover.
Would look into playing 3-5-2 in the next couple of games, so we can go with a Rashford/Martial - Lingard/Martial duo upfront. That seemed to work out well enough for us before.

 

AY has been charged by the FA for his elbow on Tadic and could be suspended for 3 games, if judged guilty...

 

He'll get suspended. He clearly threw an elbow.

 

It's almost a given. The silver lining here is that it should mean Tuanzebe will get opportunities at RB.

 

I doubt it. Darmian will get the minutes.

 

It's possible, but not necesserily likely as I think Jose to be all but done with Darmian. We'll see I guess, but this appears as good a time to turn to Tuanzebe, the way I see it.

 

We'll see but I'd think it's much more likely that he plays a guy that he's used 4 times in the league this year vs one that he hasn't used at all.

 

Perhaps, but the point remains that Darmian has really not played well at all recently to warrant slotting in automatically in AY and Valencia's stead.
Therefore Tuanzebe could have a chance to make a start. Would be a completely different matter if Darmian had shown even just a hint of good form when he was called upon...

 

Ashley Young has been suspended for three games by the FA: https://t.co/zrg04hDJv1

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) December 31, 2017