Manchester United returned to winning ways with a 4-1 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers at the Molineux Stadium.
The Red Devils dominated proceedings from the off and should have scored more than once in the opening half, which finished 1-1.
United capitalised on defensive errors in the second half to secure a comfortable 4-1 win, but the margin of victory should have been bigger.
Speaking after the game, manager Ruben Amorim issued a worrying injury update on Matthijs de Ligt.
De Ligt was ruled out of the West Ham United game due to a minor injury, but Amorim expected to have him back against Wolves yesterday.
However, the Netherlands international was nowhere to be seen, and the manager has no idea when the centre-back will return to action again.
Speaking after yesterday’s win, Amorim said he cannot put an exact timescale on De Ligt’s comeback, having missed a second straight game.
He said (via Laurie Whitwell): “I don’t know, sometimes you have an idea, then you have to see day by day. I’m not going to say when he is coming back.”
The £33 million-rated star has been a revelation in the middle of the back three for United this term.
The centre-back has a passing accuracy of 88 percent, winning almost four aerial duels per game.
De Ligt has made five clearances and three recoveries per outing alongside 1.5 tackles.
He has been one of the standout performers, and his aerial absence was felt during West Ham’s equaliser in a disappointing 1-1 draw last week.
Ayden Heaven and Leny Yoro comfortably deputised for him against Wolves.
The former completed 100 percent of his passes and won 100 percent of his duels. The Arsenal graduate was praised by Amorim after the 4-1 victory.
However, one can’t ignore that Wolves are already destined for relegation, and they have looked out of sorts defensively for some period of time.
The big challenges will come against Bournemouth, Aston Villa and Newcastle United this month.
If De Ligt remains sidelined, Heaven alongside Yoro need to play at their best in the heart of the defence to help United climb higher up the table.
United are presently six in the standings with 25 points, one adrift of the final Champions League spot.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com & Sofascore.com