Maguire, De Ligt, Casemiro: Man Utd injuries, absentees and return dates ahead of Aston Villa

Manchester United stars Matthijs de Ligt and Harry Maguire are still not back from injury ( Image: Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images)

Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has confirmed that no injured players will be returning for this Sunday's match against Aston Villa. Meanwhile, he is set to lose four players, making team selection a challenging process this weekend.

United , currently sitting sixth in the Premier League table, are set to face a Villa side three places above them. While they can't overtake their opposition before Christmas, a win could narrow the gap and potentially propel them into the top four, depending on other results.

During his pre-match press conference on Friday afternoon, Amorim addressed injury concerns, stating: "I think everyone is well, we have one more training but today the rest of the guys are ready to go.

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With no reinforcements to count on, United have also lost Amad, Bryan Mbeumo and Noussair Mazraoui as the trio join their national teams for the Africa Cup of Nations , which takes place over the festive period and into January 2026. Elsewhere, midfielder Casemiro is another who will miss the Villa clash.

1 of 6 Harry Maguire Harry Maguire has been sidelined with a thigh injury sustained during United's 2-2 draw against Tottenham on November 8. He has now missed five matches, a period during which the team has conceded eight goals. Amorim has taken a cautious approach with the 32-year-old’s recovery, choosing not to rush him back despite the team’s current defensive crisis. A comeback for the Boxing Day fixture against Newcastle United is still possible. ( Image: Shaun Brooks - CameraSport via Getty Images)

Harry Maguire has been sidelined with a thigh injury sustained during United's 2-2 draw against Tottenham on November 8. He has now missed five matches, a period during which the team has conceded eight goals.

2 of 6 Crystal Palace v Manchester United - Premier League Matthijs de Ligt is currently dealing with a back injury that has kept him out of the last three fixtures against West Ham, Wolves, and Bournemouth. It is not believed to be severe as Amorim previously described it as a "small thing." However, because De Ligt has been a mainstay in Amorim's three-man defence, the club is exercising extreme caution to avoid a long-term setback. Like Maguire, there is a possibility he could feature against Newcastle. ( Image: Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images)

Matthijs de Ligt is currently dealing with a back injury that has kept him out of the last three fixtures against West Ham, Wolves, and Bournemouth. It is not believed to be severe as Amorim previously described it as a "small thing."

However, because De Ligt has been a mainstay in Amorim's three-man defence, the club is exercising extreme caution to avoid a long-term setback.

3 of 6 GettyImages-2251575619.jpg Casemiro received a yellow card for a foul on Bournemouth's Marcus Tavernier after his goal in the 4-4 thriller at Old Trafford. As it was his fifth of the season the Brazilian will serve a one-game suspension against Villa, then return to the squad on Boxing Day against Newcastle United. ( Image: Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)

Casemiro received a yellow card for a foul on Bournemouth's Marcus Tavernier after his goal in the 4-4 thriller at Old Trafford.

4 of 6 Amad Amad has jetted off to AFCON, where he will represent reigning champions Ivory Coast. The Elephants have scheduled group stage fixtures against Mozambique (Dec 24), Cameroon (Dec 28) and Gabon (Dec 31). In this space he would miss three United matches and were his country to be a shock casualty of the group stage, he would return back in time for the league match against Leeds United on January 4, 2026. But Ivory Coast are tipped to go deep into the tournament, therefore Amad could be required to play for his country as late as the AFCON final on January 18, 2026. If so, he would miss seven club matches in total. ( Image: Getty Images)

Amad has jetted off to AFCON, where he will represent reigning champions Ivory Coast.

The Elephants have scheduled group stage fixtures against Mozambique (Dec 24), Cameroon (Dec 28) and Gabon (Dec 31). In this space he would miss three United matches and were his country to be a shock casualty of the group stage, he would return back in time for the league match against Leeds United on January 4, 2026.

5 of 6 GettyImages-2250175359.jpg Following on, Bryan Mbeumo is in the same situation representing Cameroon. They have group stage games against Gabon (Dec 24), Ivory Coast (Dec 28) and Mozambique (Dec 31). Similarly, the attacker could be back in Manchester in time to play against Leeds if his country don't make it beyond the first hurdle. Knockout stage qualification will only increase Mbeumo's absence, which again could extend seven matches in total. ( Image: MB Media/Getty Images)

Following on, Bryan Mbeumo is in the same situation representing Cameroon.

They have group stage games against Gabon (Dec 24), Ivory Coast (Dec 28) and Mozambique (Dec 31). Similarly, the attacker could be back in Manchester in time to play against Leeds if his country don't make it beyond the first hurdle.

6 of 6 Noussair Mazraoui Finally, Noussair Mazraoui will represent tournament hosts Morocco at AFCON in the coming weeks. His country have scheduled group stage matches against Comoros (Dec 21), Mali (Dec 26), and Zambia (Dec 29). Were a major shock to take place and the hosts be eliminated this early on, the full-back would miss only three United matches and be eligible to return against Leeds. If not, the same dates apply as his fellow African stars above, and he could end up missing the same seven matches in total. ( Image: Michael Regan/Getty Images)

Finally, Noussair Mazraoui will represent tournament hosts Morocco at AFCON in the coming weeks.

His country have scheduled group stage matches against Comoros (Dec 21), Mali (Dec 26), and Zambia (Dec 29). Were a major shock to take place and the hosts be eliminated this early on, the full-back would miss only three United matches and be eligible to return against Leeds.