Injury to Oxford United’s Alex Gorrin shows how cruel football can be

Our favourite sport gives us magical moments to savour in abundance, but can devastate us in equal measure.

Gorrin is undoubtedly one of the most popular members of the Oxford United dressing room and highly respected by his teammates.

To have now sustained two serious injuries, following on from the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury suffered last season, is heartbreaking for both the player and club.

“The reality is that with his first knee, we know how hard this one’s going to be.”

Karl Robinson is reluctant to put a timeframe on a knee injury suffered by Alex Gorrin #oufc https://t.co/TipuxQruwL pic.twitter.com/iytQPCmbOV

— Oxford Mail OUFC (@OxfordMailOUFC) December 15, 2022

His minutes this season have been restricted, largely due to the form of Marcus McGuane in the holding midfield slot.

The two are different types of player, even when taking on the same position, but there has always been a feeling this season that Gorrin would still play a key part for United.

As the season goes on, and if the U’s can carry on nudging up the table, matches will become ever cagier.

With slender leads to maintain, having the potential to bring on a player like Gorrin can shore things up and help see out a game.

Players who a manager knows he can rely on, and will give everything for his side, aren’t always the easiest to come by, but Gorrin is certainly one of them.