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Ashley Young needs an operation, will be out for "a long time"

Manchester United's utility wideman Ashley Young has knackered his groin.

Alex Livesey/Getty Images

Some bad news this Friday: Ashley Young's attempt to take the John O'Shea trophy for most positions played in one Manchester United season has come to an abrupt end. According to Louis van Gaal, the winger-slash-fullback has a severe groin injury — we assume this is why he came off against Liverpool — and will be out for "a long time".

See? Told you. Anyway, that's obviously terrible news for him and for Manchester United's options; though Young's never entirely convincing as a fullback, he has at least done his best wherever he's been stuck. From the perspective of the first team, it could well mean that Van Gaal has no choice but to pick Matteo Darmian at right back, which is where he's most comfortable.

And then on the left? Come on down, Cameron Borthwick-Jackson.

In other news, Phil Jones and Bastian Schweinsteiger are also missing, but Adnan Januzaj will be available. And, given the paucity of options on the bench, he could well be involved.