Scott McTominay has been ruled for Manchester United’s clash with Sheffield United, forcing Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to name a shadow midfield on Sunday.
McTominay hasn’t recovered from the ankle injury he suffered before the international break and could be sidelined for another two weeks.
With Paul Pogba still out with his own ankle problem, it leaves Solskjaer desperately short in midfield.
Nemanja Matic has returned to training and despite not being considered match fit, could be rushed back at Bramall Lane, alongside Fred and Andreas Pereira.
Better news for Solskjaer is the return to training of Axel Tuanzebe and Luke Shaw, but Marcos Rojo has suffered a muscle injury.
Solskjaer also remains hopeful Pogba will be back next month.
"He had another test and scan just at the start of the international break and it’s not healed yet,” said the United manager.
"But he’s stepping up the recovery so he doesn’t have to have the cast on.
"He’s been out for six or seven weeks so he’s gradually now stepping up walking on the treadmill, biking - it’ll still be a few weeks. We hope to see him in 2019."
Solskjaer added: "Scotty hurt his ankle and will be out for a couple of weeks, we’ve lost Rojo, he’s injured.
"But we’ve got Axel, Luke and Nemanja back in training so we’re looking better, getting numbers back.
"Maybe not match fit, Axel Luke and Nemanja have been out for a long time, but numberswise in training we’re stronger."
Probable Man Utd XI (4-2-3-1): De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Maguire, Shaw; Fred, Matic; James, Pereira, Rashford; Martial
