French forward Anthony Martial will miss the game against Leicester City on Saturday, but Morgan Schneiderin, Michael Carrick and Ander Herrera are in line to start after good performances in the League Cup in midweek.
Anthony Martial suffered a nasty knock in the head in the Red Devils’ last Premier League game against Watford. He was taken off early in the game for Ashley Young, and did not feature in United’s mid-week clash against Northampton.
Manager Jose Mourinho has now confirmed that the 20-year-old will not play against Leicester City on Saturday. The French forward is suffering from “a contusion in the calf and in the ankle area,” according to the official club website.
Three players who are in contention for starting spots though are Michael Carrick, Morgan Schneiderlin and Ander Herrera. All three looked impressive in Man United’s win against Northampton, and Mourinho may need to change things up in midfield to get the best out of Pogba.
A three-man midfield has been touted as the need of the hour at Old Trafford, and the Portuguese manager would do well to listen to the fans and the pundits after two league defeats on the trot.
Wayne Rooney may possibly shift into the left wing in the absence of Martial, with teenage sensation Marcus Rashford on the right wing. The Englishman failed in his central striker role in mid-week and Zlatan Ibrahimovic is under no threat in that position for now.
Paul Pogba is likely to play in an advanced role, while Marouane Fellaini may be dropped for this game. The defensive minded Morgan Schneiderlin and veteran Michael Carrick would provide the confidence and back-up needed for the 23-year-old Frenchman to play further forward.
Despite his mistake in midweek, Daley Blind is set to start alongside Ivorian Eric Bailly, with Luke Shaw and Antonio Valencia flanking them. Spanish goalkeeper David de Gea is the undisputed no. 1 for Man United and will be hoping to keep a clean sheet against the defending Premier League champions on Saturday.
