McTominay missed Saturday’s win over Reading (Picture: Getty)
Manchester United midfielder Scott McTominay is facing a spell on the sidelines with Erik ten Hag expecting to be without the player for ‘two weeks or maybe even longer’.
The club were rocked by news on Tuesday that Christian Eriksen will be ruled out until late April or early May as a result of an injury suffered during Saturday’s FA Cup win over Reading.
Eriksen picked up the injury after a horrendous challenge from Andy Carroll with the Dane set for three months on the sidelines although United hope he will return in time to play a role in the final weeks of the season.
McTominay missed the 3-1 win over the Royals with ten Hag describing his issue as a ‘small problem’ ahead of kick-off and was hopeful the midfielder would be back for Wednesday’s Carabao Cup semi-final return leg against Nottingham Forest.
United acted quickly on transfer deadline day to bring in Marcel Sabitzer on loan from Bayern Munich to provide cover for Eriksen, but McTominay’s absence is set to provide another headache for the manager amid a frantic run of fixtures.
Speaking before news of United’s interest in Sabitzer emerged, ten Hag told a press conference on Tuesday: ‘It is, of course, a concern and there are things you have to deal with and you can’t do nothing for it.
‘You can set the squad but in January is dropping out Donny for the rest of the season and Christian Eriksen for part of the season and also Scott McTominay is not available for the coming week, two weeks, maybe even longer.
Sabitzer has arrived on loan to offer another midfield option (Picture: Getty)
‘So we have a challenge there, the squad has a challenge.
‘We have quality players there, that is obvious, but the depth is not that good anymore.
‘But we as a team have to deal with that.’
Should McTominay be sidelined for the next two weeks, he will miss the visit of Crystal Palace on Sunday and back-to-back games against Leeds United, having scored home and away against the Whites last season.
United then take on Barcelona in the first leg of their Europa League play-off on 16 February.
The arrival of Sabitzer however does offer some respite with the Austria international available to make his debut against Palace on Saturday.
MORE : Erik ten Hag names Manchester United star that could replace Christian Eriksen
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United did however manage to bring in another option on deadline day.
