Manchester United interim boss Michael Carrick has given the latest injury update on his team. (Image: Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images)
Manchester United have benefitted from the lack of European football this season, coming up against opponents facing a quick turnaround.
United host Crystal Palace at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon (2pm kick-off). While Michael Carrick has had just under a week to prepare his team, the Eagles were in UEFA Conference League action on Thursday night.
The extra time should benefit United, with players given some more time to shake off any potential niggles. It also allows players on the injury list some more time to step up their recovery.
The win over Everton, however, did provide one injury worry: defender Lisandro Martinez missed the game with a knock, and Carrick provided the latest update.
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Here’s a look at the latest injury news from both teams ahead of the Premier League meeting.
Full-back Patrick Dorgu will remain out after suffering an injury during the win against Arsenal. Speaking to MUTV, Carrick said: “Patrick is a little bit further down the line really, in terms of a number of weeks but he’s progressing well.”
Defender Matthijs de Ligt will be unavailable, but is progressing towards a return. “Matthijs, he’s had a back issue, which has been a little bit slower to progress, really,” Carrick said.
“It’s something we’ve been working through, and he’s getting there. He’s in the right direction, but, as I said, he’s just a little bit further behind.
“It’s one of those things that’s disappointing, but it’s just a part of football, unfortunately, so we’ll get him back when we can.”
The two will be joined on the sidelines by midfielder Mason Mount, who has missed the last four games due to injury. Carrick has confirmed that he is getting ‘closer’, but the game against the Eagles may come too soon.
There is also a doubt over the availability of defender Lisandro Martinez, who missed Monday night’s game against Everton with a knock. It’s been confirmed that the Argentine will be assessed over the next couple of days.
“It will be a matter of days hopefully, it won’t be too long,” Carrick said. “We’ll assess him over the next day or two, and see where he is.”
It’s a similar situation for Oliver Glasner and Crystal Palace. Striker Jean-Phillipe Mateta is continuing his recovery from a knee injury, with Glasner hoping that he will return ‘in the next two or three weeks’.
Midfielder Jefferson Lerma is expected to miss around three weeks with a hamstring injury he suffered during the Premier League clash against Burnley, just under two weeks ago.
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Striker Eddie Nketiah has suffered a setback in his comeback from injury. He will be joined by Cheick Doucoure.
Palace were in midweek action as they overcame Bosnian side Zrinjski Mostar in the UEFA Conference League play-off. The game, saw defender Maxence Lacroix made a goalscoring return from an adductor injury.
“I don’t know [if he can play twice in three days],” Glasner said in his pre-match press conference.
“Hopefully, the goal helps a little bit! He did very well. Right now, it looks OK, but let’s see how the reaction is.”
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