Manchester United reveal update as Michael Carrick handed ELEVENTH injury blow in crisis | OneFootball

Man Utd’s problems continue to mount during nightmare international break

Manchester United face an anxious wait to discover the severity of another injury blow suffered during the international window.

It has already been a tough break from Premier League action so far for struggling Man Utd, with under-pressure manager Michael Carrick dealing with an ever-growing list of fitness fears.

Bruno Fernandes was omitted from the Portugal squad for their Nations League win over Norway on Sunday due to an issue that has been affecting him for several weeks, while Patrick Dorgu limped out of Denmark’s victory against Wales with a hamstring injury and has now returned to Old Trafford ahead of schedule.

That was after Marcus Rashford and Kobbie Mainoo had both pulled out of England duty, while Karl Darlow did likewise with Wales.

Benjamin Sesko, Amad Diallo, Matthijs de Ligt, Manuel Ugarte and Tom Heaton were all already sidelined for United, who now have concerns regarding Noussair Mazraoui.

The versatile defender started at left-back for Morocco in their latest 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against Lesotho in South Africa on Tuesday, but was replaced by Achraf Hakimi with 21 minutes to play after injuring himself while making a challenge.

Mazraoui writhed in pain and immediately raised his arm to signal there was a problem after making the tackle near the touchline and colliding with Lesotho’s Neo Mokhachane, receiving treatment from medical staff as multiple team-mates quickly signalled to Morocco head coach Mohamed Ouahbi that he would need to be substituted.

New scare: Michael Carrick will hope that Noussair Mazraoui has avoided serious injury

PA

United then wrote of the injury on Wednesday via their official website: “Noussair Mazraoui was substituted with an apparent injury during Morocco's 2-0 win over Lesotho.

“The Manchester United man had performed excellently in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifier, with Sport Le 360 providing a detailed assessment on his display.

“‘Another great match,’ they wrote. ‘Solid in duels, tidy in distribution and as valuable as ever in his anticipation. He also contributed significantly by drifting inside to create numerical superiority in midfield and aid the build-up play.

"’A complete performance before he left the pitch due to injury’.

“Morocco are top of Group A, with Brahim Diaz and Azzedine Ounahi the goalscorers against Lesotho. Mazraoui went off in the 69th minute, with Achraf Hakimi taking his place.”

It remains to be seen if Mazraoui - who also played 84 minutes against Gabon last week - will remain with the Morocco squad ahead of their home friendly against Mali in Tangier on Sunday, or if he too will need to make an early return to United for further assessment and treatment.

The reigning AFCON champions had originally been due to face Ghana this weekend, though that match was cancelled.