Manchester United have announced that right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka is facing "several weeks" on the sidelines due to injury.
The 25-year-old started each of the Red Devils' opening four Premier League games of the new season before being named on the substitutes' bench for last weekend's disappointing 3-1 defeat at home to Brighton & Hove Albion.
Wan-Bissaka was brought on for the final five minutes of the contest, but it has been confirmed by the club that the defender sustained an unspecified injury in the closing stages and is now facing a lengthy period in the treatment room.
A statement on Man United's official website read: "Aaron Wan-Bissaka is set for a period on the sidelines after sustaining an injury during the closing stages of Saturday's game against Brighton & Hove Albion.
"The right-back came on as an 85th-minute substitute, having started the game on the bench after battling illness during the week.
"Further assessment will be needed to determine how long Wan-Bissaka will be out for, but initial indications suggest it will be several weeks."
Wan-Bissaka's injury comes as a major blow to manager Erik ten Hag, who is already dealing with a plethora of senior absences due to injury including fellow defenders Raphael Varane, Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia who are all nursing muscle problems.
Mason Mount (hamstring), Sofyan Amrabat (back), Tom Heaton (calf), Amad Diallo (knee) and Kobbie Mainoo (ankle) are also on the sidelines at present.
In addition, the Red Devils are having to cope without Brazilian forward Antony who will not represent the club 'until further notice' amid allegations of assault made against him, and Jadon Sancho is also unavailable as he has been banished from first-team training following his fallout with Ten Hag.
Wan-Bissaka will miss Wednesday's Champions League group-stage opener against Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena, with Diogo Dalot expected to start at right-back as a result.
The defender is also set to miss Saturday's Premier League trip to Burnley as well as a double-header versus Crystal Palace in the league and EFL Cup third round.
Man United's No.29 is also a major doubt for the Champions League home clashes with Galatasaray and Copenhagen in October as well as Premier League fixtures against Brentford and Sheffield United before the next international break.
Ten Hag and co head to the Allianz Arena in dismal form as they have lost three of their opening five Premier League games for the first time in 34 years, while they have never won a competitive match in Bavaria away against Bayern Munich. body check tags ::
