Man Utd injury nightmare with Erik ten Hag facing seven possible casualties for Wolves Premier League clash

Manchester United Erik ten Hag

Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag is currently preparing for Wolves Premier League clash

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Jack Otway

By Jack Otway


Published: 14/08/2023

- 09:41

Updated: 14/08/2023

- 09:42

The 53-year-old will be hoping to steer his side to Premier League title glory this season

Manchester United kick off their Premier League campaign against Wolves at Old Trafford this evening.

Yet Erik ten Hag could be forgiven for worrying ahead of the showdown, with as many as seven players potentially set to be sidelined.


United would, in an ideal world, unleash new striker Rasmus Hojlund right away.

The Denmark international has joined from Atalanta, with the Red Devils choosing the 20-year-old over Harry Kane - a decision they insist they're happy with.

Man Utd Dean Henderson Tom Heatong

Tom Heaton and Dean Henderson will miss Man Utd's Premier League clash with Wolves

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But with Hojlund currently suffering with a back injury, he won't play a part in his side's Premier League opener with Wolves.

Instead, the youngster is poised to watch on from the stands.

United are also facing the prospect of being without two goalkeepers for the match, too, though Andre Onana is set to make his debut.

Tom Heaton has a back injury that has ruled him out until September, while Dean Henderson is also sidelined.

Henderson, once he gets back to full fitness, is expected to leave Old Trafford for Nottingham Forest after a successful loan spell at the City Ground last season.

United will have to cope without left-back Tyrell Malacia, too.

The Netherlands international, who was Ten Hag's first signing a year ago, missed the club's pre-season tour and he's still not regained full fitness.

Amad and Kobbie Mainoo were both involved, with the latter particularly impressive.

However, it's already been confirmed that United won't be able to select the pair for the foreseeable future due to knee and ankle injuries respectively.

The seventh player United are sweating on is Anthony Martial.

Unlike the others, however, there's a chance the France international will feature in the match with Wolves on Monday evening.

The striker returned to training at Carrington earlier in the week.

While that's the case, however, United may not deem Martial a player worth risking given his torrid injury record in recent years.

The forward was restricted to just 21 Premier League appearances last season.

Marcus Rashford may start down the middle for United, with Alejandro Garnacho and Antony then flanking him in attack.

Meanwhile, Ten Hag has revealed he's 'excited' about the start of the new season.

“I'm excited, of course. There's always a lot of preparation for the manager, it starts really in an early moment," he said.

"But for the players, six weeks, five weeks and then you want to have a proper game, a real game, and the team is ready for it.”

On whether he had a message for fans, he added: “I hope the same as last season, but even stronger because we always want more.

"We had a really good vibe between fans and the team, and we want to keep that but even better because we want more.

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Man Utd Anthony Martial

Man Utd are sweating on the fitness of Anthony Martial ahead of Wolves clash

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"We want to give the fans enjoyable football.

"We want, of course first, a winning team with the right attitude, with a good vibe and spirit in the team.

"And then we hope again that we get that vibe into the stands, so that we build a great ambience at Old Trafford and all the away games.”

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