Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has delivered a significant blow to fans, confirming his squad's injury situation remains unchanged ahead of Sunday's crucial Premier League encounter with Aston Villa. The Reds will not only be without several key injured players but will also miss four stars who have departed for the Africa Cup of Nations.
Amorim Confirms No Returns for Villa Park Trip
Speaking at his pre-match press conference on Friday, Amorim stated the situation clearly. "I think everyone is well, we have one more training but today the rest of the guys are ready to go," he said. "Nobody recovers and nobody else is out - just the guys you already know." This means United, currently sixth in the table, will face a Villa side three places above them without any reinforcements from the treatment room.
The absence of defensive stalwarts is a particular concern. United have conceded eight goals in the five matches since Harry Maguire sustained a thigh injury against Tottenham on November 8. The club is taking a cautious approach with the 32-year-old's recovery, with a potential return targeted for the Boxing Day fixture against Newcastle United.
Defensive Woes and AFCON Departures
Alongside Maguire, fellow centre-back Matthijs de Ligt remains sidelined with a back issue. The Dutch international has missed the last three matches, and although the problem is not considered severe, the club is exercising extreme caution to prevent a long-term setback. Like Maguire, he is also a candidate to return against Newcastle.
Compounding Amorim's selection headache is the departure of three players for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. Amad (Ivory Coast), Bryan Mbeumo (Cameroon), and Noussair Mazraoui (Morocco) have all joined their national teams. Depending on how far their nations progress, each player could miss up to seven Manchester United matches, starting with the Villa game.
In further bad news, experienced midfielder Casemiro will also miss the trip to Villa Park. The Brazilian serves a one-match suspension after accumulating five yellow cards, following his booking in the 4-4 draw with Bournemouth. He will be available again for the Newcastle match on December 26.
Top-Four Ambitions on the Line
This weekend's match presents a critical opportunity for United. While they cannot overtake Aston Villa before Christmas, a victory would narrow the gap and could potentially propel them into the Premier League's top four, depending on results elsewhere. However, achieving this with a depleted squad against a high-flying opponent represents a formidable challenge for Ruben Amorim.
The manager must now find solutions from within his available ranks, hoping his fit players can step up in the absence of so many key figures during a demanding festive period.
