£82m duo could benefit from Manchester United injury woes as transfer plans impacted

Erik ten Hag faces some tough questions over Manchester United’s injury record from the past year with two key players now out for significant periods.

Main striker Rasmus Hojlund is out for six weeks due to a hamstring complaint with back-up Joshua Zirkzee still yet to meet his new teammates. But more devastatingly, fresh £59m recruit Leny Yoro is out until October after fracturing his metatarsal.

Both injuries were sustained against Arsenal last week while the club have new setback concerns following the friendly win over Real Betis in California, with Marcus Rashford hobbling off and a frustrated-looking Antony heading straight for the changing room after being substituted.

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United recorded an astonishing 66 separate cases of injury last season, more than any other Premier League club. Not all of those will have been down to being unlucky and some will have been preventable.

Lisandro Martinez suffered three individual setbacks of his own, and missed more action than he maybe should have after returning ahead of schedule. United must learn from that with 18-year-old Yoro's own metatarsal issue.

The situation at centre-back pushes more focus onto United’s defensive recruitment. Yoro was a great capture, but there is an inkling that he alone might not be enough.

MEN Sport understands that United are looking to secure an exit for Victor Lindelof, although now those plans could be on hold due to Yoro’s setback, or at least until as United move for another centre-back.

The club have already agreed personal terms with Matthijs de Ligt but are yet