NEW SIGNING LENY YORO SET TO MISS THREE MONTHS WITH FOOT INJURY, RASMUS HOJLUND OUT FOR SIX WEEKS AFTER INJURIES HIT IN PRESEASON
After an injury-plagued 2023/24 campaign in which the team suffered 66 separate injuries to players, Manchester United entered 2024/25 hoping for a healthier preseason for a change. The team, however, seems to have been bitten by the injury bug again as Erik ten Hag’s men have once again gone down with injuries during the United States’ leg of the club’s preseason tour.
United confirmed Wednesday that two of their key players for the upcoming season have suffered long-term injuries and are expected to be out for an extended period of time. The club announced that both new signing Leny Yoro and striker Rasmus Hojlund sustained injuries that should see them miss the start of the Premier League season, which kicks off in a few weeks.
Yoro will be out for up to three months with a foot injury as it’s suspected the 18-year-old may have fractured his left metatarsal. The French Under-23 international was seen using crutches and wearing a protective boot after he was injured during United’s game against Arsenal at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles on Saturday, June 27th.
Per Sky Sports’ Melissa Reddy, Yoro has decided to stay on the tour with the rest of his teammates instead of flying back home. United confirmed that they intend to do a further assessment of the injury once the team returns to the UK later early next week.
Hojlund, on the other hand, is expected to miss up to six weeks with a hamstring problem, which is more time than initially anticipated. United had estimated that the Dane would be sidelined for a period of between two to three weeks, but medical tests revealed more damage than initially thought. The 21-year-old is expected to miss the first four games of the season.
Manchester United expect to be without Hojlund for their Community Shield game against Manchester City on Saturday next week, their Premier League opening fixture against Fulham at home, against Brighton away and Liverpool at home.
The Mancunian club also had a double injury scare on Wednesday night in their 3-2 win over Real Betis in San Diego as forwards Marcus Rashford and Antony were also forced off due to injury. Rashford was seen limping his way out of Snapdragon Stadium after being substituted in the second half. Both substitutions, however, are believed to have been precautionary.
United haven’t suffered from a lack of goals in preseason which should be a welcome prospect considering the team are set to be without starting forward Rasmus Hojlund for an extended period of time.
Amongst the players that are expected to step up in Hojlund’s absence is 22-year-old Ivorian, Amad Diallo, who has made a name for himself with his terrific performances in preseason games this summer. Diallo, who scored the opener against Rangers in United’s 2-0 win in Glasgow last month, was also on the score sheet against Betis on Wednesday.
Speaking to MUTV, Diallo said he wants to make an impact at the club this year. “Of course, I want to step up this season,” said Diallo. “I’m so motivated. I’m excited. I can’t wait to start the season.”
United will next fly to Columbia, South Carolina to face Liverpool in their last preseason match.
-Maher Abucheri
Twitter: @pabloikonyero
Photo: Ank Kumar. This file is made available under the Creative Commons CC0 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication