The last thing Manchester United need right now is another injury, especially in the back line. The situation is even worse in central defense, where Raphael Varane missed today’s 2-0 loss at West Ham United due to an unspecified illness. Will he be well for Boxing Day, when the Red Devils welcome Aston Villa to Old Trafford?
Varane was replace by Wily Kambwala at central defense on Saturday, which marked a debut for the 19-year-old. Other than that, United did not suffer any new major injuries today.
Manchester United at Aston Villa FYIs
Kickoff: Boxing Day, 2pm Old Trafford
United Preview Content: Team News Starting XI Prediction
Five Great Christmas Moments in MUFC History: go here
Premier League Position: Man United 8th, 28 pts, Aston Villa 3rd, 39 pts
Premier League Form Guide: Man United LDLWL Aston Villa DWWWD
Transatlantic Passage: How the Premier League Redefined Soccer in America: LINK
However, on the down side, none of the names on United’s long list of walking wounded returned to the side today. And as of now, none of them are expected to return to the team on Tuesday either. It’s a blue Christmas for United, who are now suffering through the team’s longest goalless drought since 1989.
The current dry spell marks the first time that United have gone four consecutive games without a goal since 1992. United have also scored just 18 goals in 18 league games this season. Rasmus Hojlund has yet to score, in 15 PL appearances.
Antony has been a total flop, Alejandro Garnacho hasn’t found form and Marcus Rashford is having another very down season.
“They are capable of it,” said manager Erik Ten Hag of his side final third.
“I know Rashford can score a goal, Holjund can score a goal, Antony can score goal, Garnacho can score a goal, Bruno can score a goal, Scott McTominay can score a goal.
“We have the scoring abilities in our squad and also from set-plays. In this moment, we are not doing it. We have to stick together but also they have to believe in themselves that they can do it, that they can get where they have to be, where you have to score and that is in the box, especially in the six-yard box. There you have to arrive as a striker. We attack with 11 so with one of them.”
Well, if that’s actually true, we sure haven’t seen it.
Paul M. Banks is the owner/manager of The Sports Bank. He’s also the author of “Transatlantic Passage: How the English Premier League Redefined Soccer in America,” and “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry.”
He’s written for numerous publications, including the New York Daily News, Sports Illustrated and the Chicago Tribune. He regularly appears on NTD News and WGN News Now, while writing for the International Baseball Writers Association of America. You can follow the website on Twitter.