David de Gea suffers muscle injury with Spain

Manchester United have suffered yet another injury blow. The dreaded international break has struck again, this time claiming goalkeeper David de Gea. The Spanish number one (two?) was forced off in the second half of Spain’s 1-1 draw against Sweden in Tuesday’s Euro 2020 qualifier. De Gea complained of pain in his abductor muscle at half time, but requested to be allowed to continue after receiving treatment.

Shortly after Sweden scored the opening goal, De Gea — who had been excellent up to that point — had to be replaced by Kepa Arrizabalaga. Spain coach Robert Moreno confirmed that De Gea thought he would be able to continue:

“He had pain in the abductor muscle but he received treatment at halftime and wanted to keep playing. He gave us his word, but in the end he couldn’t continue.”

De Gea’s improved form behind a much-improved defense has been one of the few bright spots in a wretched season so far for Manchester United, and his injury puts his involvement on Sunday in the match against Liverpool in doubt. Facing their table-topping fiercest rivals, United are already possibly going to be without Paul Pogba, Anthony Martial, Mason Greenwood, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Luke Shaw, and who knows who else.

After a summer in which the coaching staff put a particular emphasis on fitness, United’s players have been dropping like flies with muscular injuries. If De Gea joins the list of players on the treatment table, things could get ugly on Sunday.