Man United first-team star returns early from international duty with illness as Erik ten Hag’s ongoing crisis worsens

  • Another Manchester United player has returned early from international duty
  • The first-team regular has returned to Manchester for further assessment
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Manchester United’s injury crisis has taken another blow after a first-team regular was forced to return early from international duty due to illness.

The international breakthrough has not been kind to Erik ten Hag so far. His squad has been weakened by injuries to Harry Maguire, Alejandro Garnacho, Kobbie Mainoo and Noussair Mazraoui, all of whom have been sidelined with problems.

United’s dismal start in the Premier League has left the team 14th in the Premier League standings, and injuries are likely to only cause selection headaches for Ten Hag and his coaching team.

Amad Diallo can now be added to United’s unavailable list after withdrawing from the Ivory Coast squad and will now make an early return to Manchester.

The 22-year-old was expected to play an integral role in the upcoming AFCON qualifiers against Sierra Leone but will now be out of action after being sent home.

A Manchester United first-team regular has withdrawn from the national team squad

The problem adds to United manager Erik ten Hag's growing list of injuries

The problem adds to United manager Erik ten Hag’s growing list of injuries

Diallo is suffering from an illness and will instead remain at home in England as he recovers from what is expected to be only a short-term care for Ten Hag.

The United boss has regularly relied on Diallo this season, who is quickly becoming a fan favorite after breaking into the first team last season as United won the FA Cup.

He started four of United’s opening seven games in the league, having been trusted as a right-wing starter but often substituted with Alejandro Garnacho, while Marcus Rashford remained on the left.

Amad Diallo is suffering from an illness and will instead stay home in England rather than join the Ivory Coast squad

Amad Diallo is suffering from an illness and will instead stay home in England rather than join the Ivory Coast squad

Diallo's United teammate Alejandro Garnacho (left) has also returned to Manchester early

Diallo’s United teammate Alejandro Garnacho (left) has also returned to Manchester early

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Diallo opened his Premier League goalscoring account for the season with a brilliant strike against Brighton, which ultimately proved worthless as United lost 2-1.

The Ivorian’s arrival previously raised eyebrows in 2021, when he arrived as an unknown youngster from Italian side Atalanta for £37 million.

He initially trained with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s first team before eventually being sent out on several loan spells to gain more senior experience.

Thanks to rewarding spells at both Rangers and Sunderland, he was eventually recalled and included in United’s Premier League squad for last season as Ten Hag promoted the talent.