Lisandro Martinez is in contention to return to the Manchester United starting lineup against Brentford on Saturday.
Manchester United will aim to keep pace with Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur in the top-four race when they lock horns with Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium on Saturday night. And Erik ten Hag has greeted a mixed bag of updates on the team news front ahead of his side’s latest fixture.
Altay Bayindir (knock), Lisandro Martinez (knee), Casemiro (muscle injury), and Jonny Evans (muscle injury) closing in on returning to action after their recent stints on the sidelines. And Martinez, in particular, is in contention to feature on Saturday.
However, the bad news is the suspension of Amad Diallo after he saw red against Liverpool in the FA Cup quarter-final. Meanwhile, Harry Maguire picked up a knock while on international duty with England. The duo has joined Luke Shaw (hamstring), Tyrell Malacia (knee), and Anthony Martial (groin) on the sidelines.
Erik ten Hag spoke about several players during his pre-match press conference. He discussed the progress of Luke Shaw, Casemiro, and Anthony Martial. Meanwhile, he also provided a fitness update on Lisandro Martinez.
The Manchester United manager said, “It’s difficult to point [at which] game he [Luke Shaw] will return. But the plan is that he will return, and before the end of the season so that he can still be involved in some games in this season. Casemiro, he has now had some sessions on the field, on the pitch also yesterday in the team training.”
“So we’re making good progress, and we have to assess when we go tomorrow if he already gets a start or that we wait. Martial is back on the pitch as well, but not in the team yet. It depends on him and how quickly is he back and what are the levels. What [he] is showing.”
On Lisandro Martinez, the Manchester United boss said, “Yes, there is a chance [Lisandro will be in the squad]. We have missed him [in] every game because he brings a composure in the team and a calmness in the team and, at the same time, a winning attitude. He can express this very clearly, he can transfer that to the team and that contributes to our levels.”
Martinez might not return to the starting lineup on Saturday, with games coming thick and fast. So, Raphael Varane and Victor Lindelof should pair up at the heart of the defence. Diogo Dalot and Aaron Wan-Bissaka will be the two full-backs, with Andre Onana taking his place between the sticks.
As for the midfield unit, Scott McTominay and Kobbie Mainoo should pair up in the double pivot. Bruno Fernandes will reprise his usual no. 10 role, with Alejandro Garnacho and Marcus Rashford being the two wide attackers. Finally, Rasmus Hojlund will lead the line for Manchester United against Brentford on Saturday.
Predicted Manchester United XI: Onana; Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Varane, Dalot; Mainoo, McTominay; Garnacho, Bruno Fernandes, Rashford; Hojlund
