Manchester United are gearing up for the Community Shield clash against Manchester City, but they’re facing a defensive dilemma. As they prepare for the season’s opener at Wembley, manager Erik ten Hag is contending with potential absences in his backline.

Defenders Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof, and Aaron Wan-Bissaka were notably missing from recent training sessions. Maguire, who missed the last pre-season match against Liverpool as a precaution, remains uncertain for Saturday’s fixture. Lindelof and Wan-Bissaka are also doubtful, and Ten Hag will have to make a final call on their fitness closer to the game.

Ten Hag also revealed that Luke Shaw, who missed the US tour after his Euro 2024 campaign, will be evaluated for his availability. Shaw recently returned to training at Carrington. Although Lisandro Martinez could feature, Ten Hag was non-committal, stating that player participation would be based on individual readiness and off-season conditioning.

Three players definitely out are Tyrell Malacia, Rasmus Hojlund, and summer signing Leny Yoro, who are sidelined with long-term injuries and will miss the Premier League season’s start. Wan-Bissaka’s participation could hinge on the outcome of ongoing talks between Manchester United and West Ham United.

New arrival Joshua Zirkzee, spotted in his first training session, might step up in Hojlund’s absence. Despite the uncertainties, Ten Hag assured that his lineup will remain competitive. “The Community Shield is about securing another trophy,” he said. “We will field a team that is ready to compete, but we’ll avoid unnecessary risks. We’ll assess each player’s readiness and make decisions based on that.”