Manchester United’s pre-season preparations have hit a snag with concerns over injuries to key summer signing Leny Yoro and forward Rasmus Hojlund. The injuries occurred during a pre-season friendly against Arsenal, casting a shadow over Erik ten Hag’s squad plans.
Leny Yoro’s Injury
Leny Yoro, United’s most expensive summer signing at £59 million, suffered a muscle injury just 33 minutes into the match against Arsenal. The 18-year-old French defender signaled to the bench and was visibly distressed as he left the field. This injury is particularly worrying given that Yoro had been carefully managed in training, participating in only 50% of the sessions to prevent such occurrences.
Rasmus Hojlund’s Hamstring Issue
Rasmus Hojlund, who had opened the scoring with a brilliant goal, was another casualty. The forward pulled his left hamstring while stretching for the ball and had to be substituted just six minutes after his goal. Hojlund’s injury adds to the growing list of fitness concerns for Ten Hag.
Ten Hag’s Reaction
Speaking after the match, Ten Hag expressed his concern but emphasized the need to wait for 24 hours for a clearer assessment of Yoro’s injury. “We were very careful especially with Leny — he did only 50 per cent from the sessions — and that is very disappointing that he came off but let’s be positive and see what is coming out [from the treatment room],” Ten Hag said.
Defensive Woes and Transfer Market Activity
The injury to Yoro highlights the persistent defensive issues Manchester United faced last season, having used more than 14 different centre-back partnerships due to injuries. United’s pursuit of defensive reinforcements, such as Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite and Bayern Munich’s Matthijs de Ligt, remains uncertain due to high valuations and lack of concrete offers.
Moving Forward
As United prepare for their next pre-season friendly against Real Betis, the absence of Hojlund and possibly Yoro underscores the need for squad depth. Ten Hag has called on the club’s hierarchy to continue supporting the squad in the transfer market, stressing that winning silverware will depend on the “survival of the fittest” amid an increasingly demanding schedule.
The injuries to Leny Yoro and Rasmus Hojlund are a setback for Manchester United’s pre-season plans. Erik ten Hag’s cautious approach to managing Yoro’s fitness and the subsequent injury highlights the challenges of preparing a squad for the rigors of the upcoming season. With defensive reinforcements still uncertain, United’s ability to compete effectively will hinge on the fitness and availability of their key players.