Marcos Rojo's injury less serious than feared

Whenever a player is strapped into a stretcher, given oxygen, and wheeled from the pitch, the suspicion is always that they won't be back for some time. But luckily for him and for United, Marcos Rojo, who appeared to dislocate his shoulder against Manchester City on Sunday, is feeling positive about the injury.

Gracias a todos por los mensajes. Gracias a dios fue solo un mal momento/ thank you all for your messages. thank god it was nothing

— marcos rojo (@marcosrojo5) November 2, 2014

Louis van Gaal said after the game that Rojo would miss the forthcoming game against Crystal Palace, so we can perhaps assume that "nothing" here means "phew, I don't need amputation" rather than "I broke a nail". But with an international break coming shortly after that, Rojo might perhaps be in line to return against Arsenal.

Meanwhile, United move into a new and exciting phase of their defensive crisis. With Smalling suspended and Rojo and Jones injured, the options in the middle are currently limited to young central defenders Paddy McNair, Tyler Blackett, Tom Thorpe and Marnick Vermijl, along with an out-of-position Michael Carrick, Daley Blind and Darren Fletcher. Start praying, people.