In Arsenal’s chase for a top four place, Harry Maguire has added to Manchester United’s woes by tearing a hip muscle that will rule him out for up to two months.

The vastly-overpriced defender tore his hip muscle prior to United’s awful performance against Manchester City in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final earlier this week.

His absence adds to United’s not insignificant injury list that also includes Scott McTominay and Paul Pogba.

Maguire felt the problem against Wolves in United’s 0-0 third round FA Cup game but insisted on playing on, aggravating the problem, when the United management wanted to take him off.

He is now expected to be out for around two months according to James Ducker in the Telegraph, who also writes, “Subsequent scans have shown that the defender has suffered a muscle tear at the top of his hip.

“It is unclear at this stage how long Maguire will be out, but he is unlikely to be back soon and his absence is a bitter blow for Solskjaer at a time when the manager is expected to be without McTominay until the end of next month after the midfielder suffered knee ligament damage against Newcastle United on Boxing Day. Pogba has recently undergone surgery on an ankle problem that could keep him out for a month or longer.”

United are also without Alex Tuanzebe while Marcos Rojo could leave this month and Eric Bailly has only just returned to training after a knee injury that kept him out for six months.

Arsenal currently sit four points behind United in the table and, while they suffer an even more extensive injury list than the Red Devils, you can’t help but wonder if the sides that end up in the final four places at the top of the Premier League are going to be those who manage their injuries best for the rest of the season.

As such, we’ll be keeping a closer eye on problems at clubs who could be considered rivals for Arsenal’s unlikely top-four chase.