Manchester United have had some headaches with injuries to their defensive players — with four men currently on the treatment table, having all missed Saturday’s 0-0 home draw against struggling Burnley.
Their absences meant that, against Burnley, Marcos Rojo and Matteo Darmian both started in the Premier League for the first time this season. Here is a look at the players who are currently suffering.
ANTONIO VALENCIA
The Ecuadorian was diagnosed with a fractured right arm, having played 90 minutes during the 1-0 win over Manchester City in the EFL Cup on Wednesday. Although a timeframe has not been placed on when Valencia might return, he posted a video of himself on Instagram — showing his arm bandaged — with the message that he wants to “come back soon” and will “come back stronger.” Valencia, a regular starter at right-back this season, had made 11 appearances in all competitions since August.
ERIC BAILLY
Bailly could be seen sat in the directors’ box at Old Trafford on Saturday — in the same row as Jose Mourinho after the manager’s dismissal. The Ivory Coast defender was forced off during the 4-0 defeat at Chelsea eight days ago and limped out of the ground with a knee problem, as Mourinho confirmed that it was a “bad” injury in the postmatch news conference. The 22-year-old has been impressive on the whole this season, making 13 appearances for the club, and says he wants to return by Christmas.
CHRIS SMALLING
Smalling produced a horror show against Chelsea in the 4-0 defeat eight days ago, but has been out since then with an unspecified injury. Mourinho later revealed that the England defender had also been suffering during the Chelsea game, saying that “he was phenomenal” to play 90 minutes. Three days before the Chelsea game, Mourinho substituted Smalling — who has made 11 appearances this season — at half-time in the Fenerbahce game due to the player’s “bad muscular feeling.”
PHIL JONES
Injury-plagued Jones, who has been a familiar absentee during his five years at the club, has not featured this season after suffering knee ligament damage. The 24-year-old only featured 13 times for United in the last campaign, but his return to training gives hopes of an eventual comeback. The importance that Mourinho places on match fitness has been seen in recent criticism of Henrikh Mkhitaryan though, meaning that Jones may have to wait. The England defender’s last appearance was on Jan. 2 against Swansea City.
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