Ten Hag reveals half time message that inspired Man Utd comeback
Manchester United face an anxious start to 2024 as £47million goalkeeper Andre Onana prepares to represent Cameroon at the Africa Cup of Nations. And Onana isn't the only member of Erik ten Hag's senior squad who could miss up to four Premier League games in the New Year.
Man Utd lose Andre Onana and Sofyan Amrabat in January. (Image: Getty)
The 27-year-old midfielder has unsurprisingly been selected to represent Morocco at AFCON, further hampering Ten Hag's midfield options already ravaged by injuries this season.
Amrabat missed the Boxing Day comeback win against Aston Villa, joining Casemiro and Mason Mount on the sidelines.
Ten Hag has stated that he expects the latter duo to return to contention in mid-January when his AFCON players start their campaigns in the Ivory Coast.
However, the Dutchman would be left worryingly low on options if they aren't back by then, with Amrabat and Casemiro his only two recognised defensive midfielders.
Kobbie Mainoo has shone in the role during his breakthrough season, but it would be unfair to call on the 18-year-old to start every game with no backup.
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The games Amrabat and potentially Casemiro and Mount may miss aren't guaranteed victories, either, and Ten Hag is already under heavy scrutiny.
Hannibal Mejbri could also be out of contention in the New Year, with United reportedly looking to send him out on loan after he wasn't named in Tunisia's AFCON squad.
Christian Eriksen recently provided a boost by returning to fitness, though, and Mainoo's emergence has offered unexpected reinforcements this term.
But Ten Hag will hope that Amrabat's absence isn't as hard felt as Onana's is being built up to be. It could prove costly otherwise.