MAN UNITED SUFFER THEIR 'FIRST INJURY OF THE SEASON' AS ONE OF ERIK TEN HAG'S TRUSTED LIEUTENANTS IS SPOTTED ON CRUTCHES AFTER A FOOT OPERATION AHEAD OF CLUB'S TOUR OF THE UNITED STATES

Manchester United have suffered an injury setback before the season has even begun.

The Red Devils were hampered by injuries last season, with the likes of Lisandro Martinez and Luke shaw sidelined for large parts of the campaign.

Erik ten Hag's men finished eighth, their lowest ever Premier League position, but went on to win the FA Cup.

Preparations for the new season have got underway, with a number players returning for pre-season on Monday.

However, assistant coach was driven into Carrington on with crutches having undergone a foot operation, according to the Manchester Evening News.

The 61-year-old was not present in the training session but is expected to be back on grass soon.

McLaren, who previously managed the likes of England and Newcastle, has been part of United's backroom staff since Erik ten Hag joined the club in 2022.

McLaren's fellow assistant Mitchell van der Gaag has reportedly left United amid a shakeup in coaching staff.

Van der Gaag has been Ten Hag's right-hand man during his two years in charge of the Red Devils, after making the switch with the manager from Dutch side Ajax in 2022.

However, new co-owners INEOS have been ringing in the changes since taking over football operations at Old Trafford.

Legendary striker Ruud van Nistelrooy and former Go Ahead Eagles Boss Rene Hake are both set to join as Ten Hag's new assistants and were pictured arriving at Carrington for day one of pre-season on Monday.

2024-07-09T15:03:27Z dg43tfdfdgfd