Manchester United's injury crisis has taken another turn for the worse as key defenders Lisandro Martinez and Andre Onana have been ruled out of action, casting further shadows over their upcoming Premier League clash against Liverpool.
The Red Devils, already reeling from a string of fitness setbacks, now face the prospect of entering this critical fixture without their first-choice defensive pairing. Argentine World Cup winner Martinez is sidelined with a calf strain, while goalkeeper Onana has picked up an injury during international duty with Cameroon.
Defensive Dilemma for Ten Hag
Erik ten Hag's selection headaches don't end there. French centre-back Raphael Varane remains a major doubt after limping off during United's recent 2-2 draw with Bournemouth. The former Real Madrid star is undergoing intensive treatment in a desperate bid to be fit for Sunday's showdown at Old Trafford.
'We have some problems, that's obvious,' admitted Ten Hag in his pre-match press conference. 'The medical team are working around the clock but we won't take any risks with player welfare.'
International Break Blues
The timing of these injuries couldn't be worse for United, coming immediately after an international break that saw several key players travel across continents. Martinez's issue emerged during Argentina's training camp, while Onana's setback occurred in Cameroon's World Cup qualifier.
This leaves United potentially fielding a makeshift defence against Liverpool's formidable attack, with Harry Maguire likely to partner either Willy Kambwala or Casemiro in central defence if Varane fails to recover.
Mounting Pressure at Old Trafford
These defensive woes compound what has already been a challenging season for the 20-time English champions. Currently sitting sixth in the table, United can ill afford more dropped points in their pursuit of Champions League qualification.
The Liverpool match represents a crucial moment in their season, with Ten Hag desperate to avoid a repeat of last season's 7-0 humiliation at Anfield. However, with their defensive backbone crumbling, United fans face an anxious wait to see which players will be available for selection.
