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The latest Manchester United injury news and expected return dates ahead of the Europa League game against Real Sociedad.
Manchester United will hope to follow Sunday’s draw with Arsenal up by making it to the quarter-finals of the Europa League this Thursday, with Real Sociedad visiting Old Trafford on Thursday after a 1-1 draw in the first leg – but Ruben Amorim’s side will have to make do without a number of injured players.
As many as eleven first-team players could be absent due to fitness issues as the injury crisis continues to bite with Harry Maguire, Leny Yoro and Manuel Ugarte among the more recent additions to the queue outside the treatment room.
We’ve got the latest updates on the conditions of all of United’s potential absentees for Thursday’s showdown against Sociedad along with the stricken players’ potential return dates when available.
Maguire & Yoro among doubts as defence becomes an issue
Summer signing Yoro has had his fair share of injury issues since moving to Old Trafford for £52m in July, and he was forced off the field at half-time against Arsenal on Sunday after “something in his foot”, as Amorim put it after the game.
Amorim was uncertain in the immediate aftermath as to whether Yoro would miss out on Thursday, although there are no indications that the Frenchman’s latest knock is serious. There is also a significant doubt over the availability of the more experienced Harry Maguire after he picked up a knock in the FA Cup defeat to Fulham – he hasn’t featured since and while his issue is also believed to be minor, Amorim has not offered any clarity as to when he could return.
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Yoro and Maguire could potentially join long-term absentees Lisandro Martínez, who is expected to miss most if not all of 2025 with a serious knee injury, Jonny Evans, who is out for an unknown length of time with a muscular issue in his lower back, and Luke Shaw, who has had a string of leg injuries. Amorim said ahead of the Arsenal match that Shaw was likely to return before the end of the season, but an exact date has not been offered.
United will at least be able to call upon wing-back Patrick Dorgu, whose suspension after being sent off against Ipswich Town does not apply to European competitions.
Ugarte a doubt as Mount get closer to return
Midfield has been another area of concern as injuries stack up, and a “small” injury to Manuel Ugarte which has kept him out of the last two matches means he could be a doubt for Thursday’s game as well.
Manchester United have not confirmed the Uruguayan midfielder’s injury but he was absent from training last week and failed a fitness test ahead of the game against Arsenal. With Amorim keeping his cards close to his chest as to the nature of the problem, it’s hard to be certain as to whether he will be ready to start against Sociedad.
It is also believed that Kobbie Mainoo remains some weeks away from a return from his latest injury problem, although Amorim has once again offered no details as to the exact nature of a problem which has now caused him to miss over a month of action. The Manchester Evening News have speculated that he could make his comeback in April.
Some good news has emerged with Amorim suggesting that Mason Mount is moving closer to a return from a thigh injury. Mount hasn’t featured since December but ahead of the draw with Arsenal, the United head coach told the press that he would “definitely” return, although he refused to provide a target date. He is not likely to play against Sociedad on Thursday, however, as he has yet to return to full training.
Elsewhere, United also have an issue with goalkeeper depth with both Altay Bayindir and Tom Heaton “making a recovery” from unspecified injury issues, while Amad Diallo remains out for the rest of the campaign due to a serious ankle injury.