Kobbie Mainoo has shrugged off a knock to be in the travelling squad as Manchester United get set to take on FC Porto at Estadio do Dragao on Thursday.
Manchester United will be desperate to return to winning ways when they lock horns with FC Porto at Estadio do Dragao on Thursday night. And Erik ten Hag has a new injury concern hampering his preparations ahead of his side’s latest fixture.
Mason Mount is not in the travelling squad to take on FC Porto after picking up a knock against Tottenham Hotspur this past weekend. However, Kobbie Mainoo and Harry Maguire have shrugged off their minor issues to travel to Portugal with the rest of the group.
So, Luke Shaw (leg), Leny Yoro (foot), and Tyrell Malacia (knee) remain on the sidelines, with Shaw encountering a setback on his road to recovery. Meanwhile, during his pre-match press conference, Erik ten Hag discussed Mount’s absence and spoke about the timeline of Shaw’s return from his injury.
The Manchester United manager said, “He [Mount] had a head injury and picked up a knock so they are the two reasons why he’s not available for tomorrow. On the left-back, they are improving but we hope Luke Shaw can return after the international break quickly.”
“I don’t know if it’s the first game, we’re hoping for [it], but I can’t, in this moment, tell this with 100 per cent security. But, yeah, from now on, we have two-and-a-half weeks to work to that point. And, shortly after, he’ll be there. Tyrell is making good progress on the pitch but has to make the step to full team training.”
With Shaw and Malacia still on the sidelines, Diogo Dalot will continue as the makeshift left-back, with the Portuguese international joining Lisandro Martinez, Matthijs de Ligt, and Noussair Mazraoui in the backline. Andre Onana is an automatic pick between the sticks, with Manchester United lining up in a 4-2-3-1 formation in front of him against FC Porto.
As for the midfield unit, Christian Eriksen should replace Mainoo as Manuel Ugarte’s partner in the double pivot, even though Mainoo has travelled to Portugal. Bruno Fernandes will reprise the no. 10 role, with Amad Diallo and Marcus Rashford featuring on the flanks. Finally, Rasmus Hojlund will likely start a game for the first time this season, with Joshua Zirkzee dropping to the bench.
Predicted Manchester United XI: Onana; Mazraoui, de Ligt, Martinez, Dalot; Eriksen, Ugarte; Diallo, Bruno Fernandes, Rashford; Hojlund
