Erik ten Hag provides double Man United injury update as midfield crisis looms

Erik ten Hag has provided a double injury update on Kobbie Mainoo and Mason Mount following their enforced withdrawals in Manchester United's 3-0 loss to Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League.

The Red Devils duo both failed to last 45 minutes of the humbling defeat to Ange Postecoglou's side, where Mainoo started alongside Manuel Ugarte in midfield before calling it a day at the end of the first half.

Bruno Fernandes had just made his red card-worthy challenge on James Maddison when Mainoo dropped to the turf, and the Englishman was visibly miffed as he made way for Mount.

The change was somewhat farcical in nature, though, as Mount did not immediately come onto the field after Mainoo's exit, forcing Man United to defend with nine men for a brief moment.

The former Chelsea man was then substituted himself in the dying embers, though, having come off worse in an aerial collision with Tottenham's Radu Dragusin, which left him with a huge cut on the back of his head.

Ten Hag unsure of Mainoo, Mount injury severities

Mount had to make way for Amad Diallo and made his way off the pitch holding a towel up to the back of his head, and Ten Hag was quizzed on the condition of both players by MUTV at full time.

However, the Dutchman had little information to share in the immediate aftermath, although he conceded that both withdrawals were 'concerning' as the club wait to learn the full extent of their issues, including whether Mount was concussed.

"I can't say in this moment. I have to find out but, of course, when a player is coming off before half-time already, then there are some concerns," the Man United manager said.

"Also, I have seen how Mason came off. He was bleeding so it's clear there are some problems there and we have to see how they recover in the coming days."

Man United are already set to be working without Fernandes for their next three Premier League matches, as the Red Devils captain received the first red card of his English football career for a high tackle on Maddison.

However, Fernandes - who slipped as he made the tackle - blasted Chris Kavanagh's decision to send him off, claiming that even Maddison told him that he did not believe the challenge was worthy of a straight red.

The Red Devils also lost Harry Maguire to a training knock before the 3-0 loss, where Leny Yoro, Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia were also missing as Dominic Solanke, Brennan Johnson and Dejan Kulusevski propelled Spurs to an emphatic Old Trafford success.

Midfield crisis looming for Man United?

Should Mainoo and Mount's problems prove more serious than first feared, Man United could be working without three midfield options for next weekend's clash with Champions League-competing Aston Villa.

Fernandes will begin his domestic suspension in that game, where Christian Eriksen could be forced to fill in as the most advanced midfielder, allowing Casemiro to partner Ugarte in the double pivot.

Alternatively, Joshua Zirkzee could drop a little deeper, thereby allowing Rasmus Hojlund to come in and lead the line as the Dane also eyes a start in Thursday's Europa League clash with Porto.