Man Utd injuries: Potential return dates for Erik ten Hag's absent stars | OneFootball

Manchester United's 2023/24 campaign to date has been a tale of inconsistency and injuries.

The Red Devils haven't been great in the Premier League, losing three of their opening six fixtures, and also shipped four goals away at Bayern Munich in their first Champions League group game of the season.

Erik ten Hag's players have been below par, that much is clear, but the Dutchman has also seen his squad decimated by a raft of injury blows. Full-back has been the worst affected area from United's point of view, with Luke Shaw, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Sergio Reguilon's absences forcing Sofyan Amrabat into an unfamiliar left-back role on his first start.

The problems are easing for Ten Hag, with players gradually returning to fitness, but he's still expected to be without a number of first-team regulars ahead of Crystal Palace's second visit to Old Trafford in the space of four days.

Man Utd's current injury list

Lisandro Martinez

Lisandro Martinez is out for an extended period / Michael Regan/GettyImages

Issue: Foot injury; Potential Return: Out until at least December 2023

Lisandro Martinez's absence against Burnley was covered by the evergreen Jonny Evans, but the news is not good in regards to the Argentine's return to fitness.

Initially his foot injury wasn't thought to be significant, but surgery to correct the problem is likely to shelve the World Cup winner until December at the earliest - a blow that will lead to more minutes for the likes of Evans and Harry Maguire.

Sergio Reguilon

Sergio Reguilon is on loan at Manchester United / Michael Regan/GettyImages

Sergio Reguilon was a surprise arrival at Old Trafford towards the back end of the summer window, with United forced to act in the wake of Shaw's injury.

The Tottenham loanee hasn't started off too badly, but wasn't able to complete the full 90 minutes against Burnley last Saturday before missing the win over Crystal Palace in the Carabao Cup through illness.

Reguilon also missed the subsequent defeat to Palace in the league.

Luke Shaw

Luke Shaw is close to returning to action / James Gill - Danehouse/GettyImages

The muscle problem picked up by Shaw during United's 2-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur in August has arguably had the biggest effect on United.

Sergio Reguilon was signed to provide cover with Diogo Dalot competing with Wan-Bissaka for a place at right-back, but United's defence has been leaky to say the least. He's on the road to recovery, but Saturday's clash with Palace will perhaps be a step too far.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka

Aaron Wan-Bissaka has a hamstring issue / Sebastian Frej/MB Media/GettyImages

As if Shaw's absence wasn't bad enough, United were then dealt a major blow when Aaron Wan-Bissaka was sidelined for a number of weeks with a hamstring injury.

A return after the second international break of the season looks likely at this stage, with Wan-Bissaka's place in the side now occupied by the versatile Dalot.

Kobbie Mainoo

Kobbie Mainoo impressed in pre-season / Howard Smith/ISI Photos/GettyImages

Kobbie Mainoo was hugely impressive in pre-season, displaying the kind of maturity in central midfield United have been crying out for in a young player.

Inevitably, his momentum was halted by an ankle injury, but the 18-year-old is closing on a return to fitness and can expect to play a prominent role in Ten Hag's Premier League plans.

Tyrell Malacia

Tyrell Malacia hasn't been able to command a regular place at Old Trafford / Matt McNulty/GettyImages

With Shaw injured, all signs pointed towards Tyrell Malacia getting an extended run in the first team.

Lady luck had other ideas in mind for the former Feyenoord full-back, as he immediately picked up an unspecified injury and hasn't been seen since. Malacia has work to do upon his return, with a potential loan exit in January a distinct possibility unless he can impress Ten Hag and the coaching staff.

Amad Diallo

Amad Diallo was hurt in pre-season / Matthew Ashton - AMA/GettyImages

Amad Diallo's Championship loan spell at Sunderland was full of goals, excitement and, most importantly, optimism from United's supporters about what's to come.

The Ivorian did set the Red Devils back a potential £35m after all, despite playing just five first team games for Atalanta. A scorer of 13 goals in 37 games for Tony Mowbray's Mackems, Diallo looked primed to push for first team minutes before a knee injury took him down in pre-season.

A return to action isn't close, with United's medical team helping him to rehab his injury ahead of potential appearances towards the end of the year.