Manchester United have defensive concerns for City game, says Erik ten Hag

LONDON – Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag faces a defensive headache as injuries continue to plague his side’s preparations for the Community Shield clash with rivals Manchester City on Aug 10.

The Red Devils are set to be without defenders Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof, Luke Shaw and Aaron Wan-Bissaka for the new season’s curtain-raiser, which pits the English Premier League champions against the FA Cup winners.

In addition, centre-back Lisandro Martinez only rejoined the squad this week after taking part in Argentina’s successful defence of their Copa America crown this summer.

Big-money arrival Leny Yoro will also definitely miss out after undergoing foot surgery this week for a knock suffered during a friendly and is expected to be unavailable for three months.

“From individual to individual, we will assess them and make a decision whether they start, or come from the bench, or they don’t play,” said ten Hag on Aug 8.

“Harry Maguire missed the (friendly) game (against Liverpool) as a precaution, but there’s still a question mark for Saturday. So we have training, we have to see whether he’s fit enough or not to be available.

“Victor (Lindelof) played, but also he’s a question mark and also Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Luke Shaw, they are also both question marks. We have to assess them. And we’ll think about Licha (Martinez) to be involved in the game.”

Uruguay winger Facundo Pellistri and England’s Kobbie Mainoo, who started the Euro 2024 final on July 14, also returned to training this week after extended breaks and are being assessed.

Up front, striker Rasmus Hojlund will miss the match due to injury, which opens the door for Joshua Zirkzee to make his United debut less than a month after joining from Italian club Bologna.

FA Cup winners United – who beat City 2-1 in the final in May – go into the Community Shield at Wembley seeking to win the title for a record-extending 22nd time.

“We always want to win, also in all the friendlies. It’s about a trophy, so we will put out a team that is very competitive to win this trophy,” added ten Hag.

“But it’s also pre-season and we don’t go and take big risks, that’s also a normal approach to this game.”

When asked about his side’s transfer business – or the relative lack of it going into the new season next week – the United boss said: “When we have news, we will announce it. You see the market is quite quiet still, but we have done our business. We have done two deals.

“It is about timings and it is about the market options and (ensuring) in the right moment we do the right things.”

Over in the City camp, manager Pep Guardiola will likely not have Ederson in goal, so Stefan Ortega could start between the sticks.

Euro 2024 finalists Rodri, Phil Foden, Kyle Walker and John Stones are yet to return to training and will not feature.

“It’s important (to win) a final against United,” said Guardiola.

“But, apart from that, it is to try and refine ourselves, step by step. It is (a chance) for most of the players, we’ll see the young players, how they perform on a big stage. We go for it.

“So step by step, game by game. We’ll see what happens.”

The Spaniard also brushed aside rumours that he could be a candidate for the England job, saying: “Right now, I’m here, my energy rise again. I would say I’m excited for the season.

“A new challenge, can we beat our own record (four titles in a row)? We will see.” REUTERS, AFP