Manchester United have made a very impressive start to the Premier League season. After finishing sixth last season, United currently find themselves second in the league – just one goal behind arch-rivals Manchester City – and haven’t lost any of their first seven games. Four of their seven games have finished 4-0, and having only conceded two goals so far, Mourinho looks to have bolstered the defence as well as strengthening the team going forward.

Paul Pogba faces spell on sidelines

Despite their positive start to the season, fans will likely be anxious heading into the coming weeks after the club has been hit with a number of high-profile injuries.

It began when star midfielder Paul Pogba had to be substituted during United’s 3-0 win over FC Basel in the Europa League due to a hamstring injury. The French international was ruled out until early December with the injury, however United have dealt with the blow just fine.

They’ve won all five games in all competitions since the injury to Pogba and have begun to look like the Manchester United of old. Marouane Fellaini was brought into the starting line-up to replace Pogba, and to his credit has become a solid figure in the United midfield since. He even managed to grab two goals in United’s 4-0 demolition of Crystal Palace in their last Premier League outing and was recently rewarded with a start for the Belgian national team.

Marouane Fellaini Joins Growing List of Injuries

Whilst the call-up may have symbolized Fellaini’s return to form, United fans will now have wished he never was called up. During Belgium’s 4-3 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina, Fellaini had to be substituted midway through the first half with a knee injury. Reports now surfacing are suggesting Fellaini is set for a spell on the sidelines, potentially being kept out of action until November.

It’s a huge blow for Mourinho’s side, especially with United’s first crucial test of the season awaiting them after the international break.

United will travel to Anfield to face Liverpool on Saturday, and with Liverpool’s notable vulnerability to set pieces, Mourinho would’ve been looking for Fellaini to exploit their weakness with his size and strength in the air.

United have plenty of cover in the centre of midfield with Nemanja Matic, Ander Herrera, Michael Carrick and Juan Mata being able to drop back all providing options for Mourinho to utilize, however, Fellaini is bound to be a huge loss for United.

Romelu Lukaku suffers injury scare

One of the best performers in the Premier League so far has been United’s new signing Romelu Lukaku. Signing from Everton for around £90m, Lukaku has scored seven goals in his first seven Premier League games for his new club - including two goals on his debut against West Ham United. After finishing the season last season as the second highest scorer in the league with 25 goals, many questioned whether he could replicate his form on a bigger stage, and he has certainly proved his worth so far.

However, United fans were given yet another scare during the international break. Lukaku missed Belgium’s dead-rubber game against Boznia and Herzegovina with an ankle injury, and although Belgium manager Roberto Martinez revealed the 24-year-old has recovered from the injury and is fit to play in their next game against Cyprus, United fans will be watching with hope nothing more happens to their main striker. With Belgium having already secured their place in the 2018 World Cup, like their game against Boznia, their match with Cyprus is a dead-rubber game, meaning Belgium cannot gain nor lose anything from it. Will Martinez risk Lukaku’s injury and play him or will he be wise and leave the striker out of the game?

Whilst United have plenty of cover in midfield to deal with injuries, their depth in the striking position is notably weaker. Zlatan Ibrahimovic is yet to feature this season due to a ligament injury he suffered last season, and is set to be out of action until at least December. Marcus Rashford began his senior career at United as a striker, however Mourinho has played him predominantly as a winger so far this season. Fans will be hoping Lukaku can stay fit and return to his club fully fit ahead of their clash with Liverpool.

What impact will these injuries have on United's upcoming games?

Three of Manchester United’s next four Premier League games come against Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea, three crucial games against teams who are chasing United’s tails in the Premier League table. On top of teams chasing them in second, they themselves are trying desperately to stay on terms with their noisy neighbours Manchester City. Both teams currently have the same number of points, only City have scored one more goal than their rivals which is currently giving them the edge at the top of the league. Should United drop off in their next few fixtures, not only would it open the door for those below United to leap frog them in the table, it would also open a gap between the two Manchester clubs, the two teams many are tipping to win the Premier League title this year.

In clashes United cannot afford to drop points in, how much of an impact will injuries play in United’s performances? They certainly can cover these areas hit with injuries, however they will be hoping those injured can have a speedy recover and return to first-team action sooner rather than later as United aim to mount a serious title challenge.
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