Who could return against Bayern Munich?

The Reds will kick off our UEFA Champions League campaign against the Bundesliga giants in Bavaria on Wednesday as we return to the top-tier European competition for the first time since the 2021/22 season.

United have been badly affected by injuries in the opening matches of the season, so Reds supporters will be pleased to learn of Ten Hag’s prognosis, as he expects some of the current absentees to return to the fold in the upcoming period.

“Maybe, maybe one player, but I think Munich is a little bit too short,” said the boss, when asked in his post-match press conference about the possibility of his squad being bolstered for our trip to Munich.

“But I think, when we go to Burnley in the week after, I think players will return, yes.”

The Reds were beaten 3-1 by Brighton & Hove Albion on our return to Premier League action, following the international break, and Ten Hag knows we will face another difficult test in Germany.

“Absolutely, Bayern Munich I think is one of the favourites to win the Champions League so we have to be good there,” he continued. “But I think I have already explained what we need there - we need character, belief, resilience, determination, absolutely.”

ASSESSING UNITED'S INJURIES

We know that United are without Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia on a longer term basis, with both left-backs on the sidelines.

However, the manager has provided encouraging updates on some of our other sidelined players lately. Ahead of Brighton’s visit to the Theatre of Dreams, in Friday’s pre-match press conference, the manager spoke of Mason Mount and Raphael Varane’s fitness.

“Both are in a good place,” he said. “They are shortly coming [towards] a return.”

In another interview with club media, our Dutch boss provided a similarly optimistic update on one of our summer recruits, Sofyan Amrabat.

Amrabat signed from Fiorentina on loan late in the transfer window and was forced to withdraw from international duty with Morocco, during the recent break, due to a minor injury.

“Amrabat, he came back unfortunately with the injury, so he will not be available for tomorrow [Brighton], but I think, on the short notice [soon], yes."

The manager’s comments in the last week, either side of defeat to Brighton, perhaps suggest it could be one of Mount, Varane or Amrabat who he might be able to call upon again for our midweek encounter.

With Ten Hag having also spoken of more players being set to return for next weekend’s trip to Burnley, for the Saturday night clash, it does appear that there is some respite on the way in terms of United’s squad returning to greater health.