As if things could not have got worse for Manchester United, the club will be without experienced forward Ashley Young for at least two months.
The 30 year old is expected to undergo a groin surgery after he got injured while playing against Liverpool on January 17.
Manchester United coach Louis Van Gaal confirmed the bad news to Manchester United TV (MUTV) last Friday.
Louis van Gaal tells #MUTV Ashley Young has a severe groin injury and will be operated on. The #mufc winger will be out for “a long time.”
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) January 22, 2016
Young joins Luke Shaw, Antonio Valencia, Marcos Rojo and Phil Jones on the injury table and they all missed last Saturday’s clash against Southampton at Old Trafford which United lost 1-0.
The 30 year old Young has played 23 times for United in all competitions this season and his absence will deny the Red Devils some strength upfront even as it adds to the injury woes for Van Gaal.
In the meantime, reports from England indicate that Van Gaal travelled to Holland at the weekend after the team’s loss to Southampton and may not return to the club.
The Dutchman has been under a lot of pressure of late with various reports indicating that United are on the verge of announcing his replacement.
United’s top hierarchy are reported to have met Pep Guardiola in France last week.