Man Utd v Chelsea injury & suspension news - Ten Hag & Pochettino updates with 18 missing

Erik ten Hag implied none of Manchester United’s injured players will be back in time for the midweek clash against Chelsea.

The Red Devils were without seven first-team members for Saturday’s trip to Newcastle United, a game in which Ten Hag’s side were fortunate to come with just a one-goal defeat.

The usual pre-match press conference ahead of the Chelsea encounter didn’t feature any questions about team news, following reports of squad division in recent days, and suggestions that Ten Hag has infuriated several players. In response, United decided to ban four journalists from the media briefing at Carrington.

But Ten Hag was asked about the latest injury news in his regular club media interview, and said he would ‘more or less’ have the same squad as last weekend. "There are some positives," he revealed. "But not back already in the squad."

That means Jonny Evans, Lisandro Martinez, Tyrell Malacia, Casemiro, Christian Eriksen and Amad will be out, as will ex-Chelsea midfielder Mason Mount. The 24-year-old has missed the last three games with a calf issue, but was back in training on Friday and there had been hope he would return in time to face his former club. Jadon Sancho is the final player to miss out given his long-running feud with Ten Hag.

As for Chelsea, they’ll be without Connor Gallagher, who was sent off in last week’s win over Brighton & Hove Albion, but Marc Cucurella and Reece James are back from suspensions.

Speaking ahead of the game, Mauricio Pochettino also confirmed injured duo Romeo Lavia and Christopher Nkunku won’t be back for the midweek trip to Old Trafford. Neither of the summer arrivals have played this season due to long-term injuries, but are nearing returns.

“Tomorrow is still too soon,” Pochettino revealed on Tuesday. “We hope [Nkunku will be available] soon. It’s about assessing injured players day by day.

“Sometimes, we become excited when we see players on the pitch, as we want to have them as soon as possible. But we need to be careful and, of course, when he is ready he will be with the squad. Romeo is doing well but, like Christo, isn’t going to be involved.”

Pochettino also said Lesley Ugochukwu and Noni Madueke have joined the growing list of absentees. “Lesley felt something last week, it’s a minor injury.  Noni, after Sunday against Brighton, also has a minor problem. We hope that soon they will be available to train and available for the team.”

Meanwhile, Trevoh Chalobah, Wesley Fofana, Malo Gusto, Ben Chilwell and Carney Chukwuemeka miss out with long-term injuries.