Manchester United goalkeeper fractures eye socket

Manchester United’s men’s team have kept spirits high with an impressive five-match unbeaten run, showcasing renewed confidence and sharper defensive structure under Ruben Amorim.

The squad have handled pressure well despite the intensity of recent fixtures, with several players stepping up to keep the momentum rolling.

Amorim has stressed the importance of maintaining physical and mental resilience as United look to continue climbing the Premier League table.

Supporters have praised the team’s discipline and growing consistency, which has been a refreshing shift from the turbulence earlier in the campaign.

But while the men’s squad remain in good rhythm, another major development has surfaced elsewhere within the club’s wider setup.

USWNT and Manchester United goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce has suffered a fractured eye socket, as revealed by The Athletic.

She was unavailable for United’s Champions League victory over Paris Saint-Germain, where Safia Middleton-Patel deputised, and she was seen on the pitch ahead of the match wearing sunglasses.

Speaking on Wednesday after the side’s Champions League victory over Paris Saint-Germain, United head coach Marc Skinner confirmed the U.S. goalkeeper sustained the injury against Aston Villa on November 11.

“She had a little bit of irritation,” Skinner said of Tullis-Joyce’s absence.

“It was just making sure that she’s safe and healthy.”

Skinner said after Saturday’s Manchester derby defeat in the Women’s Super League (WSL) that Phallon Tullis-Joyce was still being medically assessed.

“She should be fine, it’s just trying to make sure she doesn’t get another knock in that area,” the 42-year-old coach said, before adding that the goalkeeper could return for Wednesday’s Champions League match at Wolfsburg.

Her situation echoes a similar setback suffered by United academy midfielder Sekou Kone, who also fractured his eye socket in August and has since returned to full training.

Typical recovery time for this type of orbital fracture is several weeks, which aligns closely with Kone’s return timeline and is considered standard for such injuries.

Tullis-Joyce, 28, joined United from NWSL club OL Reign in September 2023 and signed a new three-year contract with the WSL side in April.

She has established herself as the club’s number one goalkeeper, following Mary Earps’ departure in the summer of 2024, and her form saw her earn her first senior call-up for the United States, making her international debut in April 2025.