Manchester United can use Sir Jim Ratcliffe to address fresh transfer priority

It would not be a Manchester United press conference without Erik ten Hag confirming another injury blow. Victor Lindelof is the latest player set for a spell on the treatment table at Carrington after the Sweden captain went under the knife to fix an unspecified problem.

United have been rather secretive when it comes to injury updates. Lindelof has missed three games with the concern already and the nature of the injury remains unknown although there is now a clearer time-frame. The centre half, and four others, are not due back until January.

Selection woes have certainly played a significant part in United's on-pitch struggles. The successes last term were borne from stability in the line up and nowhere more importantly than at centre-back with Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez the go-to pairing.

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Back from the wilderness, Varane finds himself with just Jonny Evans for company, unless Luke Shaw is moved across, with Ten Hag down to the bare bones. Martinez has been out of action since mid-September and Lindelof and Maguire have now joined the combative Argentine in the physio room.

Neither are thought to be long-term absentees, but there are lingering question marks over an area which is often so vital to the make up of any team. United will have everything crossed that Varane - no stranger to an injury himself - and the ageing Evans can be nursed through three quickfire matches before the New Year.

January will offer new hope and optimism for United as Sir Jim Ratcliffe nears completion with his investment. FFP caution means the club are predicting a relatively quiet mid-season window