Aston Villa manager Dean Smith has confirmed a “really frustrating” injury for the luckless Morgan Sanson has ruled him out of the Premier League clash with Manchester United, talking to the Birmingham Mail.
You’d be forgiven for wondering whether Sanson’s Midlands home was built on an ancient burial ground.
Because the former Marseille star has looked nothing short of cursed since moving across the Channel in a £15 million deal in January.
He’s started a grand total of three Premier League games so far and, during his first appearance of the season in Wednesday’s EFL Cup third-round clash with Chelsea, Sanson lasted just 42 minutes before yet another injury cut his evening short.
Morgan Sanson will hope his luck changes at Aston Villa
“(Sansom) felt a twinge in his hamstring,” Smith said ahead of Villa’s trip to Old Trafford on Saturday lunchtime.
“We don’t believe it’s going to be a bad one. He actually carried on for two or three minutes after, which proves to me it isn’t a bad one. It’s just he felt the twinge and knew it was time to get off.
“(Sansom) has been missing for the past three or four months with a knee injury and he’s worked really hard to get back to full fitness. He was building up his game minutes so I’m really frustrated for him – but it will only be a small step backwards, that’s for sure.”
Sanson had found it difficult to get to grips with Premier League life even before his injury issues. Another spell on the sidelines won’t help him in his attempts to adapt to the hustle and bustle of the English game.
The fearless Jacob Ramsey has gone from strength to strength in Sanson’s absence this season, while Emi Buendia is also looking to find his feet following that club-record move from Norwich City.
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