Stoke City’s Million Manhoef Faces Up to Three Months Out with Knee Injury

Stoke City winger Million Manhoef has been sidelined for as long as three months due to a knee injury. The Netherlands Under-21 international, who joined the club from Vitesse Arnhem in the January 2024 transfer window, was forced off after an hour during last Saturday’s 2-2 Championship home draw against Cardiff City. Subsequent scans have revealed damage to his medial collateral ligament, suggesting he could be unavailable for “between eight to 12 weeks.” Head coach Narcis Pelach conveyed his disappointment to BBC Radio Stoke, stating, “It’s disappointing because is one of our offensive players who can produce more.” He further remarked on the nature of football, adding, “But this is life in football – when one thing comes, they come all at the same time.” Pelach concluded with a message of resilience: “We need to be strong, we need to keep believing and we need to keep fighting because everything can change.” The 22-year-old Manhoef currently stands as Stoke’s top scorer across all competitions this season with five goals, in addition to contributing three assists. He is also one of four Potters players who have each scored three league goals this term, alongside defender Ben Gibson and the on-loan duo of Lewis Koumas and Andrew Moran. Stoke also faces uncertainty regarding striker Sam Gallagher, who made his first appearance in two months when he came off the bench late against Cardiff. Pelach noted that Gallagher is “being assessed but he might not be available.” Pelach’s squad is currently without a victory in seven matches, having secured only four points from a possible 21 leading into Saturday’s lunchtime fixture against an in-form Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough. The team presently sits 17th in the Championship table, maintaining a five-point cushion above the relegation zone as the festive fixture programme approaches. Manhoef was acquired on deadline day during the winter transfer window 11 months ago from Dutch Eredivisie side Vitesse Arnhem.