Manchester United prepare for their first proper test of the Erik ten Hag era this weekend when they take on Brighton & Hove Albion in their 2022/23 Premier League season opener on Sunday, where three points will be an absolute must for the Red Devils.
And looking to make an instant impact will be Tyrell Malacia, Christian Eriksen and Lisandro Martinez after the trio arrived this summer, while Ten Hag has been moulding United’s current crop of players into a better team, with the majority fit and ready for this match.
Here is all you need to know about the current state of play at Old Trafford and the expected return dates for those out injured.
Jadon Sancho
United winger Jadon Sancho had been a mainstay on the right under Ten Hag during their pre-season tour of Thailand and Australia, with the 22-year-old starting all four games and scoring three goals in the process, before falling ill ahead of the final games last weekend.
Sancho picked up a virus prior to the clash with Atletico Madrid in Norway last Saturday and was also left out of the squad for the draw with Rayo Vallecano the following day, although it is hoped that he will have made a full recovery by Sunday.
Speaking on July 30, Ten Hag said: “Overnight he got sick, so he is not available.”
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Luke Shaw
Luke Shaw found himself in and out of the United team in the second half of last season due to recurring injuries but got himself back to full fitness this summer in order to feature in all of his side’s pre-season friendlies, before also falling ill prior to last weekend’s fixtures.
However, unlike Sancho’s virus, Shaw has come down with more of a fever, which means that it is hoped he will make a full recovery in time for this weekend’s visit of Brighton as he looks to challenge Malacia for the left-back spot in Ten Hag’s side.
Shaw started in three of United’s four friendlies on their tour of Thailand and Australia this summer, featuring against Liverpool, Melbourne Victory and Aston Villa, while he was an unused substitute against Crystal Palace, with Malacia taking his spot for that game.
Facundo Pellistri
United youngster Facundo Pellistri has spent the past two seasons out on loan at Spanish side Alaves but the 20-year-old looks as though he could be set to make his breakthrough season this year, with Ten Hag involving him within the first team this summer.
He got off to the perfect start in pre-season by scoring in the 4-0 victory over Liverpool on July 12, and although he was involved in matchday squads for the next three games, he didn’t feature again until last weekend’s 1-0 defeat to Atletico Madrid.
Pellistri came on as a 76th minute substitute for Anthony Elanga, but was forced off through injury just 15 minutes later after picking up an ankle sprain and now remains a doubt for Sunday’s clash with Brighton as he continues his recovery.
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