Manuel Ugarte and Toby Collyer will make their first starts for Manchester United when they welcome Barnsley to Old Trafford on Tuesday in the EFL Cup third round.
Manchester United will aim to reach the EFL Cup fourth round when they host Barnsley at Old Trafford in the third round on Tuesday night. Erik ten Hag has a new injury concern that is hampering his preparations ahead of his side’s latest fixture.
Lisandro Martinez picked up a knock against Southampton this past weekend and will not take on Barnsley. In addition, Noussair Mazraoui and Matthijs de Ligt did not finish the Premier League game and should get some rest on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Luke Shaw (calf), Leny Yoro (foot), Tyrell Malacia (knee), Victor Lindelof (toe), Mason Mount (thigh), and Rasmus Hojlund (hamstring) remain on the sidelines. However, during his pre-match press conference, Erik ten Hag confirmed Martinez, de Ligt, and Mazraoui’s availability to face Barnsley.
The Manchester United manager said, “They are all available. I hope I have headaches because, last year, I also had headaches, but there were no players available. So, I hope I have many players available and we can make a selection from game to game. Definitely, we have to rotate because we have to cover so many games and so it’s not only about a starting XI.”
“First, Luke Shaw, he’s progressing but not ready yet to be selected. Of course, we have a plan in our head when he can be ready but you are always dependent on how the progress will go. You can’t think, you can’t make a suggestion [of a return date] because there are so many factors why a plan can accelerate or slow down. [As for] Ugarte, you will see tomorrow what the selection will be for this game.”
While Mazraoui is available, he should get some rest, with Harry Amass making his Manchester United bow. The teenage prospect will line up alongside Jonny Evans, Harry Maguire, and Diogo Dalot in the backline, with Andre Onana taking his spot between the sticks.
As for the midfield unit, Manuel Ugarte and Toby Collyer should make their first starts for the Red Devils. The duo will likely join Casemiro in the middle of the park. Finally, Joshua Zirkzee will lead the line for the home side, with Alejandro Garnacho and Antony completing the numbers in the offensive trifecta.
Predicted Manchester United XI: Onana; Dalot; Maguire, Evans, Amass; Casemiro, Ugarte, Collyer; Antony, Zirkzee, Garnacho
