Manchester United welcome Wolves to Old Trafford this week but will be without a number of key players due to injury
Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim(Image: Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
Manchester United are set to face Wolves in the Premier League on Tuesday evening, but both managers will be without a handful of key players.
The two sides faced each other only a matter of weeks ago in the reverse fixture at Molineux. On that occasion, Ruben Amorim‘s men ran out 4-1 winners, courtesy of a brace from Bruno Fernandes and goals from Bryan Mbeumo and Mason Mount.
As things stand, United sit sixth in the league standings, just three points outside the top four. Wolves, on the other hand, are rock bottom and winless in their 18 games so far, with their latest setback coming in the form of a 2-1 loss away at Liverpool last weekend.
On the back of their Boxing Day triumph over Newcastle, in which Patrick Dorgu scored the only goal of the game, Amorim will hope his side can continue their winning ways this week. However, the United boss will have to navigate the visit of Rob Edwards’ side without a number of key men.
Club captain Fernandes remains sidelined after picking up a hamstring injury in the defeat to Aston Villa earlier this month. Amorim revealed in his pre-Wolves press conference that the midfielder is already asking to resume training at Carrington, but he is expected to remain sidelined for a couple of weeks.
United are also sweating over the fitness of Mason Mount after he limped off against Newcastle on Boxing Day. It is not yet clear whether he will be ready for the visit of Wolves on Tuesday night.
Kobbie Mainoo, Harry Maguire and Matthijs de Ligt have also been sidelined in recent games through injury, and Amorim confirmed he does not expect to have any of them back in time for the next match. Mainoo, in particular, is expected to resume training this week, which makes Leeds United at the weekend the likeliest return date.
Bruno Fernandes could miss up to a month of Manchester United games through injury.
In addition to injuries, Amorim is also navigating a number of absences due to the Africa Cup of Nations. Noussair Mazraoui, Amad and Mbeumo make up the United contingent representing their nations at the tournament in Morocco over the next month.
From a Wolves perspective, defender Rodrigo Gomes underwent surgery on a groin injury last month and is not expected to return until February. Toti Gomes is nursing a hamstring problem and will be sidelined until the new year.
Jean-Ricner Bellegarde is also expected to return at the start of 2026 after being out of action with illness, while Marshall Munetsi is recovering from a calf injury.
Leon Chiwome has been sidelined since January with an ACL injury and no return date has been set. Aside from injuries, Edwards will also be without Emmanuel Agbadou due to the Africa Cup of Nations, while midfielder Andre is set to serve a one-game suspension following an accumulation of yellow cards.
After the midweek visit of Wolves, Amorim’s men will be gearing up for a tricky start to 2026, beginning with a trip to Leeds United this weekend. That is followed by an away fixture against Burnley at Turf Moor, an FA Cup third-round tie against Brighton and the Manchester derby at Old Trafford.
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