Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim has been dealt an injury blow just days before he takes charge of his first Premier League game.
Appointed as United boss following the sacking of Erik ten Hag, Amorim has been getting to grips with the players who are not away on international duty. The Portuguese coach arrived from Sporting earlier this week, taking training at Carrington ahead of United’s return to Premier League action next week.
Next Sunday (November 24th), will see Amorim’s United face off against Ipswich Town, with a win potentially seeing his new side reach as high as seventh should results go their way. However, the new United boss may be without a defender who hobbled off injured during the international break.
During Sweden’s 2-1 win over Slovakia in the Nations League, defender Victor Lindelof went off injured after just 26 minutes. With Harry Maguire currently sidelined, Lindelof’s injury means Amorim options at centre-back are depleted.
United are already without French defender Leny Yoro, who has not played for his new side so far this season following his big money move from Lille in the summer. They are also potentially set to be without Lisandro Martinez too.
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Speaking after calling up Martinez to his Argentina squad for the November internationals, coach Lionel Scaloni said: “We didn’t expect the case of Lisandro.
“We saw that he had suffered a blow to his back, but apparently, he had no problem, just pain. When he arrived here, the pain increased a bit, he underwent tests and is not fit to be here.” Martinez has since left the Argentina camp to travel back to England.
With Amorim having utilised a 3-4-3 system during his time with Sporting, the defensive injury crisis raises major issues with just who the new United boss could field in his backline against Ipswich.
Ahead of their return to action, United have just two full fit centre-backs in Matthijs de Ligt and Jonny Evans, meaning Amorim may look to stick with a back four until he can fully implement his 3-4-3 system once his injured defenders return to action.