Erik ten Hag anticipates Manchester United being without Antony, Anthony Martial and Scott McTominay for at least another week in a key period of the season.
United have played twice already in February and will have another five matches before the end of the month, including a two-legged Europa League tie against Barcelona and the EFL Cup final against Newcastle United.
Injuries have come at a bad time then, with Christian Eriksen out long term, Casemiro suspended and a further trio likely to be missing for at least the next two matches.
United visit Leeds United on Sunday, then Barcelona on Thursday, and Ten Hag was asked if Antony, Martial or McTominay could make the trip to Camp Nou.
"I can't say for 100 per cent, but I don't expect it," he said.
Although Eriksen was injured in a challenge from Reading's Andy Carroll, Ten Hag accepts other issues have occurred as result of a "tough season".
But United have been boosted by Marcus Rashford's stunning form and the return to action of Jadon Sancho, whose midweek goal in the home game against Leeds earned a point.
Sancho has been back in the fold since the start of the month, having previously been absent from any matchday squad since October.
"This is what makes this job so exciting," Ten Hag said of Rashford and Sancho. "It's wonderful to work with young people, to get the best out of them.
"Finally, they have to do it by themselves. But sometimes they need motivation, they need interaction, they need inspiration."
For now, Ten Hag's focus is on getting the best out of his team over this hectic stretch, rather than worrying about the latest talk of a potential European Super League.
"I'm aware of the dynamic, what's going on," Ten Hag said. "If they're coming up with new ideas, I'll have to look at it and make an opinion.
"I'm not aware, because we are playing so many games at this moment. We have to develop this team, we have some problems, some new players to bring in. That's where my focus point is, and it needs all my energy.
"On new European competitions, the people in this club will look at it and inform me if the time is there and the moment is there to make decisions, but the decisions are up to the club.
"I think the current structure [of European football] is good, but there will always be initiatives to make it better, to make the football better.
"That's what life is. People always want to construct better. This is a good thing. If it's in favour of the football, it's always good."
Raphinha hails Barcelona after statement win over Valladolid
Barcelona forward Raphinha believes the team have laid down a statement of their intent by starting the season with four straight wins in LaLiga.
Raphinha scored the first hat-trick of his career and also delivered two assists on Saturday, as Barca crushed Real Valladolid 7-0 at Camp Nou.
Hansi Flick's side already possess a four-point cushion at the top of the table after also recording victories over Valencia, Athletic Bilbao and Rayo Vallecano.
Raphinha believes their results have demonstrated the club got things right in the transfer market, telling Movistar: "Today's game has shown that there is no need for anyone else to come. We are very happy because of that.
"We are in very good shape. The team is working hard. Today's result shows what we are working for.
"We saw that the coach was on the sidelines asking for more goals and that's our mentality.
"We are hungry and want to score as many goals as we can. When we are dominant like we have been, the best way to respect our rivals is not taking the foot off the gas."
Raphinha was one of the players who faced criticism during Barca's trophyless 2023-24 campaign and was rumoured to be on his way out ahead of the new season.
The Blaugrana again battled financial restrictions throughout the window, allowing Ilkay Gundogan to leave in order to secure the registration of new arrival Dani Olmo.
With his future now certain, Raphinha is keen to nail down a starting spot and contribute on a regular basis.
"I don't know if today's was my best game, but it's certainly among my best. I will try to play even better and as much as I can," the Brazilian said.
"I'm very happy to be able to help the team. I feel good. I knew that this season would be very important for me. I'm looking for my best version to help my team-mates and be more confident."
Sancho given fresh start with Chelsea loan move
Jadon Sancho has secured a move away from Manchester United, having joined Chelsea on Deadline Day on a season-long loan.
The deal includes an obligation to buy for between £20-£25 million at the end of the loan, according to widespread reports, meaning that the 24-year-old will not be returning to Old Trafford next summer.
Work to complete the transfer came late on Deadline Day, with a deal sheet being submitted to ensure the signing could go through after the 11pm deadline.
Chelsea were able to get the deal over the line, confirming the move was complete on Saturday evening.
"I’m really excited to be here," Sancho said. "London is where I grew up and I’m happy to be back.
"The manager spoke to me about the project and, for a young player, it's exciting. Hopefully I can bring goals and assists to the Bridge."
It brings an end to a three-year spell at Old Trafford for Sancho. The winger originally joined United on a five-year contract in 2021 but, following a public falling out with manager Erik ten Hag, found his first-team opportunities limited.
Sancho made 83 appearances in all competitions for United, but his last start for the club came against Manchester City in the 2023 FA Cup final. He made three substitute appearances in August 2023 before moving back to Dortmund on loan in January, where he scored three goals in 21 appearances.
His final outing in a United shirt came off the bench in their Community Shield defeat to Manchester City, but he was not included in the squad for the first two league games.
Sancho joins a club with plenty of competition for attacking places, with Cole Palmer, Christopher Nkunku, Nicolas Jackson, Pedro Neto, Joao Felix and Noni Madueke among their roster.
Chelsea did also manage to move some players on during Deadline Day. Raheem Sterling secured a loan move to Arsenal on Deadline Day, while Trevoh Chalobah joined Crystal Palace, Armando Broja moved to Everton and Djordje Petrovic was loaned by Strasbourg.
Barcelona 7-0 Real Valladolid: Raphinha hat-trick helps hosts to emphatic triumph
Raphinha's first career hat-trick helped Barcelona remain perfect in LaLiga as they thumped Real Valladolid 7-0 at Camp Nou.
A commanding display saw Barcelona enter the international break top of the table as Hansi Flick became the first head coach of the club to win each of his first four league games in charge since 2017-18.
Brazilian Raphinha opened the scoring with 20 minutes on the clock, beating Karl Hein with a deft finish after being picked out by Pau Cubarsi.
The hosts entered the interval with a three-goal advantage as Robert Lewandowski struck his fourth of the season before Jules Kounde picked out the top corner in the second minute of added time.
Raphinha grabbed his second of the game just after the hour, completing his maiden treble eight minutes later with another fine finish.
Dani Olmo later marked his home debut with his second goal in as many games for his new club, with Raphinha then turning provider for Ferran Torres to complete the emphatic display.
Data Debrief: Seventh heaven for Barcelona
Raphinha's treble was the first of his career across Europe's top five leagues, scoring two goals for the second time for Barcelona, having done so in April 2024 against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League.
Lamine Yamal, meanwhile, has now been involved in 14 goals in 42 appearances in LaLiga (six goals and eight assists), the most by a player before turning 18 in the competition in the 21st century, surpassing Bojan Krkic (13 - 10 goals and three assists).
It also marked Barcelona's biggest win in a LaLiga match since since April 2016 against Deportivo La Coruna at Riazor (8-0) and their biggest home win in the competition since March 2014 against Osasuna (also 7-0).
SportsMax is the Caribbean sports channel of choice, committed to providing sporting content of the highest quality to the Caribbean, delivered by a team of highly innovative, passionate and qualified professionals.
(876) 619-7629
digitalmedia@sportsmax.tv
