Just as it seemed as if the injury problems were clearing up at Manchester United, another area of the squad gets hit hard.
Many felt that Luke Shaw and Rafael da Silva were hooked at half time against Yeovil for tactical reasons. But head coach, Louis van goal, confirmed afterwards that both had been taken off due to injury. LvG said:
“Rafael has an injury and a fracture of his bone so it was fantastic he had the guts to play through.
“I had to change him and also Luke Shaw because he had an ankle problem. He played on also. Rafael has already gone away in a car to the hospital. I don’t know how he did it.
A fractured cheekbone sounds pretty bad but Rafael da Silva could potentially play on with a mask. As for Luke Shaw, the worry is that he is weakening his ankle with the recurring injuries to it.
Both could be back quickly but the news comes at a time when stand in wing backs, Antonio Valencia and Ashley Young are both injured. Neither have a confirmed return date but both are likely to miss the Southampton game this weekend.
If all four are out it leaves the Manchester United manager with a real conundrum. He played the second half against Yeovil with Blackett and McNair at wing back. If Rojo and Blind don’t return in time then we could see the youngsters get another chance. Alternatively Manchester United could play with a back four once more, with so few available defenders.
