Manchester United are confronting a significant injury crisis as they prepare for their crucial Premier League encounter against Fulham this weekend. The Red Devils' medical room is becoming increasingly crowded, with several key players facing extended periods on the sidelines.
Injury Blow for Patrick Dorgu
The most concerning development involves Danish defender Patrick Dorgu, who suffered a suspected hamstring injury during United's dramatic 3-2 victory over Arsenal. Despite scoring a crucial goal at the Emirates Stadium, Dorgu was forced off the pitch with what manager Michael Carrick initially hoped was merely cramp.
Medical reports now suggest Dorgu could be sidelined for approximately ten weeks, which would represent a substantial blow to United's defensive options. Carrick expressed his concern about the situation, stating: "Pat's been a big player for us. In terms of threat, athleticism and quality, he's been immense down the side with Luke Shaw against teams that ask a lot of questions."
The manager added: "At this stage, it's hard to tell, so we'll just have to wait and see. Hopefully it's not too bad." Current estimates suggest Dorgu may not return until March, significantly impacting United's defensive stability during a critical period of their Champions League qualification push.
Striking Concerns with Zirkzee
Adding to Carrick's selection headaches, striker Joshua Zirkzee has missed United's last two fixtures with an unspecified injury. Medical staff predict the Dutch forward will be sidelined for approximately two weeks, potentially ruling him out of the Fulham encounter.
Zirkzee's absence leaves United light in attacking options, with his physical presence and goal threat proving difficult to replace. While a February return is anticipated, his availability for the weekend remains uncertain as United seek to maintain their winning momentum.
De Ligt's Prolonged Absence
Defensive concerns are further compounded by the continued absence of Matthijs de Ligt, who has been sidelined with a back problem since November. The Dutch international has experienced what Carrick described as a "setback" in his rehabilitation process, delaying his anticipated return.
Carrick provided an update on De Ligt's condition: "He had a bit of setback before I arrived, only small but he was a little bit slower than we had liked. He's getting closer and hopefully in the next couple of weeks he will be back and around it."
The central defender's absence has been keenly felt, with United's backline showing vulnerability in recent matches. His anticipated February return cannot come soon enough for a team pushing for Champions League qualification.
Carrick's Perfect Start Under Threat
These injury concerns arrive at a particularly challenging moment for new manager Michael Carrick, who has maintained a perfect record in his opening two fixtures since replacing Ruben Amorim. The victory over Arsenal propelled United to fourth in the Premier League table, strengthening their Champions League qualification ambitions.
However, the mounting injury list threatens to disrupt Carrick's impressive start. The manager now faces difficult selection decisions ahead of Sunday's encounter with Fulham at Old Trafford, where United will be desperate to maintain their winning momentum.
The Manchester Evening News reports that Carrick could be without several players due to these fitness issues, testing the squad's depth during a crucial period of the season. With Champions League qualification at stake, United's medical team faces increasing pressure to accelerate recovery timelines while ensuring players don't suffer further setbacks.
As United prepare for their Fulham encounter, the injury situation represents a significant challenge to their ambitions. The coming weeks will test both Carrick's managerial capabilities and the squad's resilience as they navigate this difficult period without key personnel.
