Manchester United have been dealt a fresh injury blow after Sofyan Amrabat was forced to withdraw from the Morocco squad.
According to Moroccan outlet Al Ayam, the midfielder missed the 3-0 win against Liberia on Tuesday due to an unspecified injury.
Amrabat was left out of the Atlas Lions’ friendly against Ivory Coast on Saturday and failed to recover in time to feature against Liberia in Morocco’s final Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.
‘We will not hide behind absences, because we knew about Amrabat’s absence before the start of the camp,’ Morocco manager Walid Regragui said over the weekend.
‘Amrabat can get injured at some point. We must find a solution and alternative, and we have players capable of filling the void that Sofyan will leave.’
Manchester United have been dealt a fresh injury blow after Sofyan Amrabat was forced to withdraw from the Morocco squad
The Moroccan midfielder was forced to withdraw from international duty last month and The Athletic reported United had detected a back problem during his medical.
Amrabat joined United on an initial season-long loan on deadline day from Fiorentina, with the Red Devils paying the Italian side an £8million loan fee with the the option to make the deal permanent next summer for £21m.
The 27-year-old has made five appearances for United this season, mostly filling in at left-back.
Amrabat’s latest fitness issue deepens Erik ten Hag’s mounting injury crisis ahead United’s return to Premier League action away at Sheffield United on Saturday night.
Ten Hag is without long-term absentees Luke Shaw, Tyrell Malacia, Amad Diallo, Lisandro Martinez and Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
Raphael Varane has sat out three games with a fitness issue, while new signings Rasmus Hojlund and Mason Mount have both missed matches because of injuries but have since recovered.
Ten Hag should at least be able to count on Casemiro for the trip to Bramall Lane on Saturday, after the Brazilian played in the defeat to Uruguay on Tuesday.
The midfielder returned to training earlier this week after he asked to be replaced during Brazil’s 1-1 draw against Venezuela on Saturday as he picked up an ankle knock.
The 27-year-old has made five appearances for United this season, mostly filling in at left-back since joining on loan from Fiorentina on deadline day
Erik ten Hag is facing a mounting injury crisis at Old Trafford as United look to get their season back on track after a disappointing start
Earlier this week, Mail Sport reported United had launched an investigation into why their first-team squad has suffered so many injuries.
With the Premier League season just eight matches in, no fewer than 16 players have been injured or unavailable to manager Erik ten Hag so far.
That situation has ensured that the Dutchman has been unable to pick his first choice XI once this season.
Mail Sport revealed officials from United’s medical department were actively seeking to identify whether any patterns exist.
Casemiro (right) should be fit for the trip to Bramall Lane on Saturday after recovering from an ankle knock he picked up in action for Brazil on Saturday
The injury crisis has played a major role in United’s disappointing start to the season, which has seen them win four and lose four of their first eight Premier League matches.
United have also lost both of their Champions League games against Bayern Munich and Galatasaray, conceding seven goals in the process, and sit rock bottom of Group A.
Ten Hag’s men did, however, progress to the next stage of the Carabao Cup after beating Crystal Palace and will face Newcastle on November 1 in the Round of 16.
After the game against Sheffield United, ten Hag’s men host Copenhagen on Tuesday night and take on Manchester City four days later.
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