Man Utd draft youngster into first-team training amid injury crisis as two stars missing

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Manchester United youngster Sonny Aljofree joined first-team training on Thursday as the club prepare for their upcoming clash with Brentford . The 21-year-old was brought into the session as United continue to be plagued by a mounting injury crisis.

Ayden Heaven was the sole senior centre-back available for last Saturday's trip to Chelsea , where he was paired alongside right-back Noussair Mazraoui at the back. Leny Yoro and Matthijs de Ligt were sidelined through injury, while Lisandro Martinez and Harry Maguire were both suspended.

De Ligt and Yoro were again absent from Thursday's training session. Aljofree was elevated to United's U21s in 2023 and spent the latter half of the 2023/24 campaign on loan at National League outfit Altrincham.

The following season, the centre-back featured in League Two with Accrington Stanley before linking up with promotion-chasing Notts County on loan in August 2025.

However, his stint with the Magpies was cut short after just 11 appearances, with Aljofree returning to Carrington in January.

Since February, he has skippered the U21s in seven Premier League 2 fixtures and played the full 120 minutes as United fell to defeat against Real Madrid in the Premier League International Cup earlier this month.

Matheus Cunha was also absent from Thursday's training session.

The Brazil international is enjoying a recovery day and is expected to be fit for Monday's fixture. Cunha netted United's winner at Stamford Bridge - his eighth goal since making the move from Wolverhampton Wanderers .

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Patrick Dorgu also sat out the session as he continues to work his way back from injury.

Alongside Aljofree, the first-team squad were joined by academy youngsters Shea Lacey, Jack Moorhouse, and Tyler and Jack Fletcher.

Maguire will be fit to feature against Brentford, however Martinez won't be back in contention until United's trip to Sunderland AFC on May 9.

There is hope that Yoro could return in time for the clash against Keith Andrews' side, with Michael Carrick set to provide an update on the Frenchman at his pre-match press conference on Thursday.

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