Manchester United starlet Teden Mengi has suffered a 'huge blow' which could hamper his hopes of breaking into Erik ten Hag's plans at Old Trafford, according to injury expert Ben Dinnery.
The Red Devils are sitting fifth in the Premier League table ahead of the domestic campaign's resumption, but it appears that Mengi could be set for a spell on the sidelines.
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Man United injury news - Teden Mengi
According to The Sun, Mengi's hopes of earning a loan move during the January transfer window have been left in jeopardy after he suffered a hamstring injury during a friendly against Real Betis.
The report suggests the up-and-coming talent sustained the issue during the first half of the encounter, which was taking place in a bid to build players' fitness while the World Cup continues, and had to be carried off the pitch on a stretcher.
Manchester United reacted to the worrying situation by tweeting 'We're gutted for you, Teden' as he was replaced by fellow youngster Rhys Bennett.
The cruel blow came soon after Mengi revealed, via the Red Devils' Instagram account, that the Spanish training camp had been beneficial as he looked to build up his fitness after returning from injury.
Mengi was handed a 5/10 match rating by the Manchester Evening News as ten Hag's side suffered a defeat to La Liga outfit Betis.
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What has Ben Dinnery said about Mengi?
Dinnery believes Mengi's hamstring problem is a major concern for the central defender and Manchester United chief ten Hag.
The injury news journalist fears that the academy graduate could be out of action for some time as being forced off on a stretcher is not a good sign.
Dinnery told GIVEMESPORT: "The injury in itself is bad enough. If you were to look at that in isolation and take that as a young player who is maybe on the fringes of that first team squad and hoping to make his mark, then that's a huge blow.
"You don't want to see a young player pick up an injury and certainly being stretchered off."
How big a blow is Mengi's injury for Man United?
Although it is unlikely that Mengi is going to become one of the first names on the team-sheet anytime soon, there is a possibility that a strong performance against Betis would have caught ten Hag's eye.
The 20-year-old has earned two senior appearances during the early stages of his Manchester United career, according to Transfermarkt, and coming away from the friendly injury-free could have resulted in him being offered further opportunities in cup competitions or a loan spell to aid his development.
It is not the first time that Mengi has sustained a hamstring problem, having also been forced onto the sidelines on two separate occasions during a temporary spell with Championship side Birmingham City last season, and that will be a concern.
He has been restricted to just five appearances this season, due to further issues, and the last thing Mengi or Manchester United will want is for him to have regular spells on the treatment table.
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