Manchester United defender Will Fish will stay at the club after suffering torn ligaments, which has put an end to any potential transfer moves. The 21-year-old center-back got injured during United’s 3-0 pre-season loss to Liverpool in South Carolina, shortly after coming on as a substitute.
Fish’s injury will keep him sidelined for up to five weeks, but fortunately, scans showed there were no fractures, making the outlook better than initially feared. United manager Erik ten Hag expressed visible concern for the young player on the pitch.
Prior to the injury, Manchester United had planned to keep Fish as backup due to a series of defensive setbacks. New signing Leny Yoro is out until November with a fractured metatarsal, and the club recently sold Willy Kambwala and released Raphael Varane. These changes left United short on center-backs, making Fish a crucial part of the squad.
United’s defensive issues have been apparent during their pre-season tour, with key players like Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof, and Jonny Evans dealing with their own injuries or illnesses. This situation has solidified Fish’s place in the squad for now, especially since his contract is set to expire next year, though the club has an option to extend it.
The club is still on the lookout for defensive reinforcements, having had bids for Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite turned down and ongoing interest in Bayern Munich’s Matthijs de Ligt.
Meanwhile, Fish, who spent the last two seasons on loan at Hibernian, will focus on his recovery with the hope of contributing to United’s campaign once he’s fit. As Manchester United prepares for the Community Shield clash against Manchester City, Ten Hag’s attention to detail is clear. The Dutch manager has returned to Carrington to work with players coming back from international duty, showing his commitment to getting the team ready for the challenges ahead.
