Manchester United Faces Injury Crisis Ahead of Leicester FA Cup Clash
Manchester United’s preparations for their FA Cup fourth-round clash against Leicester City have hit a major roadblock, with multiple key players ruled out due to injury. Manager Ruben Amorim provided an update ahead of Friday’s match at Old Trafford, confirming that Lisandro Martinez, Luke Shaw, Altay Bayindir, and Tom Heaton will all be unavailable for selection.
Martinez suffered a serious knee injury during last weekend’s game against Crystal Palace, with a cruciate ligament issue set to sideline him for an extended period. This is a huge blow for United, as the Argentine defender has been a key figure in Amorim’s defensive setup. Amorim admitted that it’s a difficult situation, saying, “Licha is going to be out for a while. We don’t know the exact timeline, but it’s an injury that will take time to heal.”
Luke Shaw is also dealing with another injury setback, though Amorim described it as a minor issue in a different area from his previous injury. While it’s not as severe, United are taking a cautious approach with the England international.
Also Read:Perhaps the most unexpected setback is the absence of Altay Bayindir, the hero of United’s third-round victory over Arsenal. The Turkish goalkeeper was instrumental in that game, making crucial saves, including denying Martin Ødegaard and Kai Havertz in a penalty shootout. His absence, along with Tom Heaton’s, leaves Andre Onana as the undisputed starter for this match, despite initial plans to rotate the squad. Amorim confirmed, “Altay has a problem and won’t be available. Tom is also out, but we have other options ready.”
New signings Patrick Dorgu and Ayden Heaven could make their debuts, with Amorim hinting that they are in contention to play. When asked about their involvement, he simply said, “You’ll have to wait and see. But they are ready.”
On the Leicester side, former United legend Ruud van Nistelrooy will return to Old Trafford as manager of the Foxes. He has confirmed that Wilfred Ndidi is back from injury and will be part of the squad. However, Leicester is also dealing with fitness concerns, with several players set for late assessments before the final squad announcement. Teenagers Jeremy Monga (15) and Jake Evans (16) have been called up and could get their chance in a high-profile game.
With United dealing with significant injury concerns, Amorim faces a tough challenge in picking his best XI. The pressure is mounting as the Portuguese manager looks to improve on his mixed start at Old Trafford. However, despite the setbacks, United will be determined to secure their place in the next round of the FA Cup.
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