Man United injury list: players out, potential return dates, predicted line-up for next match against Burnley

Man United injury list: Players out, potential return dates, predicted lineup for next game against Burnley, originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as your preferred source by clicking here.

Manchester United are hoping to welcome back some senior players just as they bid farewell to the head coach.

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Ruben Amorim was sacked on January 5, the day after a 1-1 draw at Leeds United, after which the Portuguese made public his apparent frustration with the way things were going at the club.

United’s form has remained patchy this season, and they looked particularly shorthanded last month due to injuries and stars leaving for the Africa Cup of Nations. However, as Darren Fletcher prepares to take charge of the team for the first time on an interim basis, one or two key players could return.

Here’s what their injury list looks like, when they can expect players to return, and what their projected lineup looks like for their next game.

MORE: Antoine Semenyo’s best candidate for a January transfer | Does top at Christmas mean the title?

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Man United injury list

Below is the latest Man United injury picture and estimated return dates for those sidelined.

Mason mount

• Expected return date: January 7 (vs. Burnley)

Mount was replaced at half-time in the Boxing Day victory over Newcastle United. Amorim said the midfielder “felt something” and was sent off as a precaution, even though Mount himself wanted to continue. He missed the draws at Wolves and Leeds, but Amorim said there was a chance he could be involved at Burnley.

Bruno Fernandes

• Expected return date: January 7 (vs. Burnley)

Fernandes appeared to have injured his hamstring during the 2-1 defeat at Villa and came off at half-time. Ahead of the Newcastle match, Amorim said his captain’s injury did not appear serious, but he predicted he would be out longer than Kobbie Mainoo. Like Mount, he could return to Burnley.

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Kobbie Mainoo

• Expected return date: January 11 (vs. Brighton)

Mainoo injured his calf before the defeat against Aston Villa on December 21. Amorim said he wasn’t sure how serious the injury was, but a few days later he confirmed that Mainoo was expected to return a little earlier than expected. However, there is no clear indication when he will be fully fit.

Matthijs de Ligt

• Expected return date: January 7 (vs. Burnley)

Amorim said De Ligt suffered back pain after the 2-1 win at Crystal Palace on November 30 and has been carefully managing the centre-back ever since. After missing seven games, he has a chance to be available for Fletcher’s opener.

Harry Maguire

• Expected return date: Early January

Maguire’s thigh injury suffered against Spurs in November is unlikely to keep him out for too long, but he has since missed every league match. We hope he can return in the next two weeks.

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Unavailable: Amad Diallo, Noussair Mazraoui, Bryan Mbeumo

Amad, Mazraoui and Mbeumo are absent for the Africa Cup of Nations and will not return until at least early January.

Man United predicted line-up against Burnley

Here is the projected starting line-up when Man United face Burnley on January 7.

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Lammens (GK)

Dalot, Yoro, Sky, Shaw

Ugarte, Casemiro

Dorgu, Zirkzee, Cunha

Sesco

Man United fixture schedule: next five matches

After the Burnley match, United will play an FA Cup third round match against Brighton & Hove Albion. Next comes the Manchester derby, followed by a visit to championship leaders Arsenal.

• Burnley vs. Man Plain | Premier League | Wednesday January 7

• Man Plain against Brighton | FA Cup (3rd round) | Sunday January 11

• Man Plain against Man City | Premier League | Saturday January 17

• Arsenal vs. Man Plain | Premier League | Sunday January 25

• Man Plain against Fulham | Premier League | Sunday February 1st