Shashko's injury confirmed: out for up to one month, missing at least three Premier League matches! Amourin will not buy a new striker

According to Sky Sports UK, Manchester United striker Benjamin Shashko's injury status has been confirmed, and he will be sidelined for no more than a month. However, British media did not specify whether this one-month period starts from now or from the time of injury.

Shashko, who joined Manchester United for €85 million, was injured after missing a one-on-one chance against Tottenham. He suffered a left knee problem and had to leave the pitch immediately, leaving the Red Devils a man down for the last 10 minutes. Fortunately, post-match examinations revealed the injury was not as severe as initially feared. However, having withdrawn from Slovenia's national squad for the international break, Shashko will definitely miss United’s next Premier League match on November 24.

If the one-month absence is counted from the injury date, Shashko should be available for the December 8 league match against Wolves. If counted from now, he will miss the games up to and including the December 21 match against Aston Villa. It is certain that Shashko will miss the matches against Everton, Crystal Palace, and West Ham United.

The Daily Mail reported that Manchester United itself has no exact return date for Shashko. Sources say he will need at least three to four more weeks to recover, meaning either of the two scenarios could happen.

Shashko’s injury affects Manchester United’s squad depth but does not severely impact Amourin. This season, Shashko has scored only 2 goals in 12 appearances, both before the October international break, scoring consecutively against Brentford and Sunderland. In crucial matches, Amourin tends not to start Shashko.

Manchester United still hopes the 22-year-old striker will recover quickly and return to the field soon because his comeback will coincide with Mbemo, Amad Diallo, and Mazraoui participating in the Africa Cup of Nations, ensuring Amourin won’t face attacking shortages.

Therefore, during Shashko’s absence, Manchester United is expected to use the same strategy, deploying their summer signing Cunha, bought for £62.5 million, as a false nine, while two of Mbemo, Amad, or Mason Mount will play the number 10 role. If Amourin needs more options, Dutch striker Zirkzee, who has been out for nearly a month, might get some chances.

Manchester United also has 17-year-old young striker Chido Obi, who made several appearances last season but has been assigned to the U21 squad this season for development. Another forward, Hojlund, is on loan to Serie A champions Napoli, with no recall option in his contract. If Napoli qualifies for the Champions League, the £44 million purchase of Hojlund will become mandatory.

Recently, Manchester United has been linked with several forwards, including Dortmund stars Adeyemi and Gvardiol, Hoffenheim’s Fisnik Asllani, Mainz’s Jonathan Burkardt, and Bournemouth’s Semaio. However, with Shashko’s injury confirmed, the Red Devils have ruled out signing a new striker in January. Especially for the Bundesliga forwards, a mid-season transfer is unlikely. Semaio’s price is £70 million, making a winter move impossible. If such funds were available, Amourin would prefer to sign a new midfielder instead.

Predicted Manchester United starting lineup during Shashko’s absence: Sena Ramens / Lenny Yoro (Maguire), De Ligt, Luke Shaw / Mazraoui, Bruno Fernandes, Casemiro, Diogo Dalot (Patrick Dogu) / Amad Diallo, Cunha (Mount), Mbemo.