Manchester United have been dealt yet another injury blow after Harry Maguire suffered a muscle injury in training and was ruled out for around three weeks.
The injury won’t affect Maguire’s chances of playing for England at the Euros this summer, but means he will miss United’s final four Premier League games and is a doubt for the FA Cup final against Manchester City on May 25.
United already had Casemiro playing as an emergency centre-back alongside Maguire due to injuries to Lisandro Martinez, Raphael Varane, Victor Lindelof and Willy Kambwala, although Jonny Evans returned to training on Friday and could possibly play against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Monday night.
Maguire has emerged as one of United’s most consistent performers in a season that has seen more than 60 cases of injury and illness among Erik ten Hag’s squad.
He has made a total of 31 appearances, justifying his decision to turn down a £30million move to West Ham last summer.
As well as the five missing centre-backs, United are also set to be without Marcus Rashford, Luke Shaw, Scott McTominay, Anthony Martial and Tyrell Malacia against Palace.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is a doubt, but has never missed a game through injury in more than four years at United and Ten Hag is hopeful he will be fit in time.
Speaking on Friday, the United boss said: ‘After the game (v Burnley), we had an issue with Bruno. He is a doubt for Monday. We all know Bruno, he will fight, never rule him out for any game.
'He will do his best to be available. Jonny Evans returned today for team training. Tomorrow we are off and then two days until the game. Martial was partly in team training.’