Manchester United has officially announced that center-back Jonny Evans will be sidelined “for the next few weeks” due to a thigh strain sustained during the 4-3 defeat to Copenhagen. Despite being brought in as emergency cover for Erik ten Hag’s team this summer, Evans had to be substituted just 16 minutes into the Champions League match, with Raphael Varane taking his place alongside Harry Maguire.
Following thorough tests on the 35-year-old defender, United stated, “Jonny Evans will be out of action for the next few weeks with injury. The Northern Ireland defender suffered a thigh strain in the first half of our Champions League game with FC Copenhagen in Denmark on Wednesday.”
This setback adds to United’s defensive woes, with Lisandro Martinez, Luke Shaw, and Tyrell Malacia also sidelined as they prepare to face Luton Town in the Premier League on Saturday. Ten Hag now relies on Varane, Maguire, and Victor Lindelof as the main senior center-back options, and he anticipates the absence of midfielder Casemiro until after Christmas due to a hamstring injury.