Leny Yoro, the £59 million addition to Manchester United, would likely need an extended layoff due to concerns that he may have broken his metatarsal.
Yoro’s injury occurred only two games into his United career as he hobbled out of the preseason friendly against Arsenal in Los Angeles last weekend.
At United’s training camp on Wednesday, the 18-year-old Frenchman—who transferred to Old Trafford from Lille two weeks ago—was spotted using crutches and wearing a protective boot over his left foot.
If Yoro’s injury is a fractured metatarsal, there are concerns that he may miss the beginning of the season and be out for perhaps two months.
On August 10, United plays Manchester City in the Community Shield at Wembley. Six days later, the team hosts Fulham to begin the Premier League season.
Yoro’s condition is due to be updated by United on Thursday, although the centre back’s appearance on the team bus at the University of California campus in Los Angeles on Tuesday afternoon did not inspire confidence. He was hurt against Arsenal on Saturday just past the half-hour mark, and he left the game right away after getting treatment.
After playing for Argentina in the Copa America, Lisandro Martinez has not returned to training. As a result, manager Erik ten Hag may have to decide between Harry Maguire, Jonny Evans, and Victor Lindelof for centre defence.
Nonetheless, after conversations regarding Matthijs de Ligt were made with Bayern Munich and Everton rejected an upgraded offer of £50 million for Jarrad Branthwaite, United has been looking to add a second centre-back this summer.
With Rasmus Hojlund also hobbling off the pitch in the first half of United’s match against Arsenal due to what looked to be a hamstring injury, there may yet be worse news for United. After the game, Hojlund did appear to be moving quite easily, so maybe his injury is not too significant.
The setbacks bring back memories of United’s issues during their US tour last summer, when injuries to Kobbie Mainoo and Amad Diallo prevented them from playing until November and December, respectively.
Mainoo broke his foot in the loss to Real Madrid in Houston and missed four months of action, while Diallo suffered damage to his knee ligaments in the first tour match against Arsenal in New Jersey and needed surgery.