Fourth Manchester United star withdraws from international duty because of illness

Amad Diallo has withdrawn from the Ivory Coast squad for their upcoming Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers due to illness rather than because of injury.

The Manchester United forward was selected for Ivory Coast's double header against Sierra Leone, but will instead report back to the club's Carrington training ground for further assessment.

Amad is the fourth United player to withdraw from international duty this week after Noussair Mazraoui, Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho all did so out of 'precaution' due to their own fitness concerns. Academy graduates Mainoo and Garnacho have both been handling long-term injury issues following their remarkable rises to the first-team frame, while summer signing Mazraoui was withdrawn at half-time of the weekend draw with Aston Villa.

United were also handed an injury blow earlier this week when defender Harry Maguire confirmed he would face 'a few week' on the sidelines after he picked up a muscle injury at Villa Park. The experienced centre-back was also replaced at half-time of the goalless draw.

There was at least some encouraging injury news this week though after Leny Yoro posted an encouraging fitness update. The French defender took to social media on Wednesday and uploaded a video of himself jogging on a treadmill along with the caption: 'on the way back.'

The 18-year-old defender has yet to make a competitive appearance for his new club after he fractured his metatarsal in the first half of the 2-1 defeat to Arsenal in Los Angeles back in July. Yoro underwent successful surgery at the beginning of August to address the problem and it was originally hoped he could return to action in November.