90min

RB Leipzig in Midst of Injury Crisis Ahead of Manchester United Clash

By James Cormack

Julian Nagelsmann may be without Nordi Mukiele for Wednesday's trip to Old Trafford
Julian Nagelsmann may be without Nordi Mukiele for Wednesday's trip to Old Trafford / ANP Sport/Getty Images
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RB Leipzig boss Julian Nagelsmann is faced with something of an injury crisis as his side prepare for their Champions League clash with Manchester United on Wednesday night.

Die Roten Bullen head into the midweek trip off the back of a stellar start to their domestic and continental campaigns.

They currently sit top of the Bundesliga after five games, securing a 2-1 victory over Hertha BSC last time out, while a 2-0 triumph over İstanbul Basaksehir last week means they head to Old Trafford at the summit of Group H.

An Angelino brace helped the East Germans get off to the perfect start in their Champions League campaign
An Angelino brace helped the East Germans get off to the perfect start in their Champions League campaign / Maja Hitij/Getty Images

Nagelsmann's early success this term is all the more impressive when you take into account the number of injuries the remarkable German string-puller has been forced to deal with.

Konrad Laimer, a star last season, is yet to make an appearance this term with an ankle injury while Lukas Klostermann (knee) and Amadou Haidara (coronavirus) are more recent absentees.

German news outlet Kicker now reports that versatile French defender Nordi Mukiele is a doubt for the United clash on Wednesday, as is Tyler Adams.

Mukiele is set for further examination ahead of the fixture after undergoing an MRI, but it's likely that the trip to Old Trafford will arrive too soon for the 22-year-old.

Nordi Mukiele was forced off in Leipzig's victory over Hertha BSC on Saturday
Nordi Mukiele was forced off in Leipzig's victory over Hertha BSC on Saturday / ODD ANDERSEN/Getty Images

Nagelsmann's genius, however, means that Leipzig will still be a tough proposition for the Red Devils no matter how deep their injury crisis is.

The 33-year-old appears overwhelmed with excitement at the prospect of coaching at the Theatre of Dreams for the first time on Wednesday night.

"I've never played in Old Trafford or been there. It will be a great experience. I watched a lot of games in the Theatre of Dreams and on television. Now to be part of the stadium will be perfect," Nagelsmann revealed in an exclusive with the Daily Mail.

"Bayern Munich vs Manchester United, for example, the final when Ole Gunnar Solskjaer scored. Ryan Giggs did a lot of big games for Manchester United, Paul Scholes, Ruud van Nistelrooy... a lot of players. I watched nearly every game of Manchester United ten years ago when I was a younger guy and a player.

Nagelsmann was once a huge admirer of Wednesday's opponents
Nagelsmann was once a huge admirer of Wednesday's opponents / Boris Streubel/Getty Images

"Sir Alex Ferguson had a long and very successful time for Manchester United so it was also interesting to watch him, what he changed from one season to the next.

"I know there will be no fans so that's hard. When there will be fans it will be more of a bigger experience. But if we win the game in the Theatre of Dreams it will be perfect," he added.