Erik ten Hag would undoubtedly not have missed this as he sat in a press conference room overlooking Carrington’s training pitches and spoke about a new injury crisis.
There were more than 60 separate injury cases last season and after training on Thursday, Ten Hag revealed that four defenders – Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Luke Shaw – have question marks over their fitness for Saturday’s Community Shield.
Summer signing Leny Yoro, who joined from Lille for £59million, is out for three months after surgery on a foot injury, while left-back Tyrell Malacia, who missed the entire 2023-24 season, remains out.
That means 17-year-old Harry Amass, who burst onto the scene this summer during his US tour, faces his toughest test yet when he takes on Manchester City at Wembley on Saturday.
Even if Shaw, who has not played for United since being sent off after 45 minutes against Luton Town in February, manages to survive today’s final training session before the Community Shield 24 hours later, it seems unlikely the left-back will be put at risk after such a troubled year with injuries.
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has already discussed an injury crisis
Harry Amass could face his toughest task yet as the 17-year-old lines up to face Man City
Summer player Leny Yoro out for three months after surgery on foot problem
‘Harry Maguire missed the game (against Liverpool) as a precaution, but he is still a question mark for Saturday,’ said Ten Hag.
‘We have a training session and we have to see if he is fit enough to be available.’
He continued: ‘Victor Lindelof played (against Liverpool) but he is also a question mark and also Azza and Luke Shaw are both question marks. We have to assess them tomorrow.’
That means Lisandro Martinez, who only returned to Carrington this week after a break following Argentina’s Copa America win, could be forced back into action quickly with United having just three fit defenders.
Jonny Evans, who was out sick during the pre-season defeat to Liverpool but has trained since, and Diogo Dalot are the other two players Ten Hag could use.
Maguire was a key figure during last season’s injury crisis and it would be a huge loss if he is unable to play.
He has been struggling with a calf injury that cost him a place in England’s squad for Euro 2024 and has also played limited minutes during United’s pre-season, playing one half against each of Real Betis and Arsenal.
Now that his leadership qualities on the pitch are in danger of failing, the need to deploy Amass is even more compelling.
The 17-year-old has received rave reviews from Ten Hag and the Carrington coaching staff and is seen as the most likely youngster to make it into the first team.
But with Ten Hag having never played in the Premier League before and himself admitting at the beginning of the month that he feels it is too early to rely on the teenager, it would be the most important game of his career against a strong Manchester City team.
“If we train and coach him well, it is possible that he will be at that point in three months,” Ten Hag said of Amass this summer.
Luke Shaw has not played for United since his departure against Luton Town in February
Lisandro Martinez may need to return to action soon as United have just three fit defenders
Harry Maguire played limited minutes during United’s pre-season tour, playing one half against both Real Betis and Arsenal
‘But at the moment he has to catch up and develop some skills to be able to play for Manchester United, where he is competing for the top positions in the league.
‘But with a great talent things can move very quickly and it will be very interesting to see whether he is capable of that.’
With injuries piling up at the back and the player pool drying up, Amass may not have three months to find his feet.