Lisandro Martinez will not feature for Manchester United, while Sofyan Amrabat will start as a left-back against Crystal Palace on Saturday.
Manchester United will be eager to climb through the table when they welcome Crystal Palace to Old Trafford on Saturday afternoon. And Erik ten Hag has a plethora of roster issues hampering his preparations ahead of his side’s latest fixture.
Lisandro Martinez will be on the sidelines for “an extended period” after aggravating the foot injury he picked up in April. In addition, Sergio Reguilon is struggling with a knock, leaving Manchester United without a recognised left-back.
The duo has joined Luke Shaw (muscle injury), Tyrell Malacia (knee), Aaron Wan-Bissaka (hamstring), Kobbie Mainoo (ankle), and Amad Diallo (knee) on the sidelines. In addition, Jadon Sancho remains unavailable due to his souring relationship with Erik ten Hag.
But Scott McTominay and Christian Eriksen should have recovered from their respective illnesses to be available on Saturday. Meanwhile, Antony has resumed training after missing the last few games due to the recent controversy surrounding him.
But the Brazilian international will not be available to take on Crystal Palace and will likely return to action next week. Meanwhile, Erik ten Hag did not discuss any particular player during his pre-match press conference but lamented the hectic schedule. The Dutchman also provided some good news during the presser.
He said, “Every time, the schedule is expanding and the load on the players is just too much. It’s such a great overload. Many colleagues of me are already pointing to that and I have pointed to that as well. But it kept going. We keep expanding the schedule.”
“Players can’t deal anymore with this overload and I think that is what you see across any squad in this moment. We have seen some players back on Tuesday, and tomorrow, back are the players who were out of the squad for Tuesday: Scott McTominay, Christian Eriksen. They are back.”
Andre Onana will take his usual spot between the sticks, with Manchester United lining up in a 4-2-3-1 formation in front of him. Meanwhile, with Diogo Dalot being the only fit full-back, Sofyan Amrabat will start as a left-back, with Dalot remaining on the right flank. Raphael Varane and Victor Lindelof should form the central defensive partnership.
Hannibal Mejbri has made an impression in the last few games. So, he should pair up with Casemiro in the double pivot in the middle of the park. The returning Scott McTominay and Christian Eriksen will thus find themselves on the bench.
As for the offensive unit, Mason Mount should feature on the right flank after an impressive performance in the EFL Cup third round against Crystal Palace. The Englishman will join Bruno Fernandes, Marcus Rashford, and Rasmus Hojlund in the final third. So, Alejandro Garnacho, Facundo Pellistri, and Anthony Martial will be options on the bench.
Predicted Manchester United XI: Onana; Dalot, Varane, Maguire, Amrabat; Casemiro, Mejbri; Mount, Bruno Fernandes, Rashford; Hojlund
