Ruben Amorim issues worrying Man Utd injury update as manager admits stars 'don't have space to train' amid further fitness woes

Lindelof returned to United's starting XI against Spurs after over a month out injured - but was only able to complete 45 minutes before hobbling off with a new complaint. The Swede headed straight down the tunnel after he was replaced by Jonny Evans, unable to hide his frustration having suffered what looks to be his third setback of the season. His side went on to lose a dramatic Carabao Cup quarter-final 4-3, with Evans netting a late consolation for the visitors.

Amorim has aimed to use as many players as possible in the early weeks of his United tenure but now could be without Lindelof ahead of a busy festive period. He told the official United website: "I think he has something. We have to assess to say specifically what he has but it's tough to lose a player. They work really hard, they want to return but like I said - the same thing with Luke Shaw, Mason Mount and Vic - they had injuries, they don't have space to train. Just preparing games is not perfect."

Lindelof joins a trio of United stars whose careers have fallen into a stop-start pattern because of recurring injuries. The Swede was kept out by a toe problem at the beginning of this campaign having previously suffered a number of muscle issues throughout his United career. Mount made his seventh start of the season in the Manchester derby last weekend but suffered a muscle injury after just 14 minutes, while Shaw has only made three substitute appearances all season after missing the majority of 2024.

Lindelof is out of contract at Manchester United next summer and another prolonged absence could leave his chances of a renewal hanging by a thread. The club signed two new centre-backs last summer, Matthijs de Ligt and Leny Yoro, and are in 'positive' talks with Harry Maguire over a contract extension. Lisandro Martinez and Noussair Mazraoui have been used in wide centre-back positions in Amorim's back three, leaving Lindelof with work to do to prove he has a future at the club under the new boss.