An element of intrigue promises to surround Erik ten Hag's starting line-up when Manchester United resume their Premier League campaign against Everton at Goodison Park on Sunday afternoon.
United, who will resume their campaign chasing a third successive Premier League win, are set to be without a series of big-name stars for the trip to Merseyside. Christian Eriksen, who was scheduled to be away with the Denmark squad over this current international break, faces up to a month out with a knee injury.
He has joined the likes of Lisandro Martinez and Casemiro as definite absentees for the clash with Sean Dyche's side. The aforementioned duo, who both joined United in the summer of 2022, could be sidelined until the other side of Christmas.
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Ten Hag is also facing an anxious wait on a series of other members of his squad, meaning it is hard to predict just how his starting line-up at Goodison Park could look. With that said, MEN Sport has had a look at the latest on the United injury front with a detailed round-up.
Andre Onana
The Cameroonian Football Federation announced on Sunday that Onana will play no part in Cameroon's World Cup qualifier against Libya on Tuesday because of an unspecified injury. He was forced off in the latter stages of Friday's 3-0 win over Mauritius.
This concern means United may be forced into handing fellow summer signing Altay Bayindir his debut at Goodison Park, though reports elsewhere have played down the severity of Onana's concern. Ten Hag will almost certainly provide clarity later this week.
Possible return date: November 26 (vs Everton).
Aaron Wan-Bissaka
Wan-Bissaka missed United's 1-0 win over Luton Town prior to the international break through illness. Fortunately, it was not believed to be anything too serious, meaning he should be available for the trip to Everton.
Possible return date: November 26 (vs Everton).
Lisandro Martinez
Martinez, as outlined above, is a long-term absentee. The Argentine suffered a recurrence of a foot injury in September and is unlikely to play again in 2023.
Ten Hag, speaking ahead of the Reds' 4-3 defeat to FC Copenhagen earlier this month, confirmed Martinez's injury was "really strong" and that he was unlikely to be back before the festive period.
Possible return date: January 2024.
Jonny Evans
United confirmed just over a week ago that Evans will be out for the 'next few weeks' after suffering a thigh strain in the defeat to Copenhagen. He was forced off inside the first half and was replaced by Raphael Varane.
It remains to be seen when he may possibly return, though a 'few weeks' suggests he will not play again until December.
Possible return date: Early/mid-December.
Luke Shaw
Sidelined since late August with a muscular problem, Shaw has been sorely missed at left-back, both defensively and offensively. Ten Hag, following the conclusion of last month's international break, admitted he did not expect him to feature before the beginning of this current pause, which, of course, he did not.
The Dutchman said: "With Shaw, I don't expect him back in this block of games." Ten Hag is almost certain to give an update on him ahead of the trip to Everton later this week.
Possible return date: November 26 (vs Everton).
Tyrell Malacia
Sidelined since pre-season, Malacia has not played for United since the final day of the 2022/23 Premier League season in May. After United initially planned to manage the problem with pain-killing injections, surgery was eventually required.
He resumed light training towards the end of last month, but no specific timescale has been set for when he could return.
Possible return date: Unknown.
Casemiro
Casemiro, like Martinez, is highly unlikely to play again this year because of a hamstring problem he sustained in United's 3-0 defeat to Newcastle United in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup on November 1. United initially said that he would be out for 'several weeks'.
Ten Hag, speaking a week later, admitted he did not expect the Brazilian back before Christmas.
Possible return date: January 2024.
Christian Eriksen
To compound United's midfield woes even further, Eriksen was ruled out for 'around a month' last week after being forced off during the 1-0 win over Luton Town with a knee injury. The Dane was replaced by Mason Mount, meaning the Reds will be without two of their most important midfield players for the time being.
Eriksen's knee injury, of course, ruled him out of Denmark's European Championship qualifiers against Slovenia and Northern Ireland. United will be hoping they can recover him as quickly as possible.
Possible return date: Mid/late December.
Marcus Rashford
Any fears United had of losing Rashford for a period of time appear to have vanished as quickly as they arrived after he trained with the rest of the England squad on Sunday. The attacker was forced off in the second half of Friday night's 2-0 win over Malta after colliding with teammate Trent Alexander-Arnold.
However, the fact he has trained in preparation for England's clash with North Macedonia on Monday evening suggests he could be involved. Barring any setbacks or hidden details, he should be available to face Everton.
Possible return date: November 26 (vs Everton).
Amad
Sidelined since July with a knee problem of his own, United have given very little away on when Amad could possibly return. However, the winger has frequently posted encouraging updates on his social media pages in recent weeks, suggesting a return may not be too far away.
Ten Hag could be asked to provide an update on the Ivorian when he addresses the media in the build-up to the trip to Goodison Park.
Possible return date: Unknown.
Rasmus Hojlund
Like fellow countryman Eriksen, Hojlund was also forced to pull out of the Denmark squad for this international hiatus. He was also forced off against Luton with a muscle strain.
United confirmed the striker, who joined the club from Atalanta in the summer, could return before the end of November. United face both Everton and Galatasaray before the end of this month.
Possible return date: November 26 (vs Everton).
