Bruno Fernandes is set to return to the starting lineup while Harry Maguire is a doubt as Manchester United get set to face Aston Villa in the FA Cup.
Manchester United will be aiming to progress to the next stage of the 2021/22 FA Cup when they face off against fellow Premier League club Aston Villa in the third round at Old Trafford on Monday night.
Heading up to the game, Manchester United interim manager Ralf Rangnick has no new injury issues to deal with. Paul Pogba remains out with an injury while captain Harry Maguire is also a doubt after missing the last game against Wolves. However, the Red Devils will welcome Victor Lindelof back into the squad after recovering from Covid-19.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference on Friday, Rangnick said: “Victor is back in training, since yesterday, which is very good news for us. Harry hasn’t been able to train, as yet, and we have to wait and see how this develops, tomorrow or the day after tomorrow. With Harry, there is still a question mark but Victor will definitely be available for the game on Monday.”
With Lindelof returning, he should walk right back into the starting lineup, replacing Phil Jones as Raphael Varane’s central defensive partner. The pair ought to be flanked by the full-back duo of Diogo Dalot and Alex Telles, who will be coming in for Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Luke Shaw, respectively. Dean Henderson should get the nod in goal ahead of David de Gea, as is customary for the cup ties.
Rangnick indicated during his presser that he would not look to make a lot of alterations and field a strong lineup, which could see both his preferred central midfielders, Scott McTominay and Fred, feature from kickoff against Aston Villa on Monday night. Such a move would mean that Donny van de Beek will once again have to suffice with a spot on the bench.
Bruno Fernandes was a shock omission from the lineup against Wolves. However, the Portuguese international should be reinstated to the side against the Villans. He will slot in as one of the two attacking midfielders for Manchester United, with Jesse Lingard likely to get a rare opportunity to feature in the lineup ahead of the likes of Jadon Sancho, Mason Greenwood and Juan Mata.
Up top, Cristiano Ronaldo is likely to start again for Manchester United. However, he could be in for a change of partners, with Marcus Rashford likely to replace Edinson Cavani against Aston Villa.
Manchester United Predicted XI: Henderson, Dalot, Varane, Lindelof, Telles, McTominay, Fred, Lingard, Fernandes, Ronaldo, Rashford.
