Amad Diallo and Joshua Zirkzee will return to the Manchester United starting lineup against Leicester City in the EFL Cup round of 16 at Old Trafford on Wednesday.
Manchester United will aim to clinch a place in the EFL Cup quarter-finals when they welcome Leicester City to Old Trafford in the round of 16 at Old Trafford on Wednesday night. Ruud van Nistelrooy has a new injury concern that is hampering his preparations ahead of his side’s latest fixture.
The Dutchman has taken over as the interim manager from his compatriot Erik ten Hag after the Red Devils parted ways with the 54-year-old tactician earlier this week. However, the game against Leicester City might be the only match van Nistelrooy manages, with the Premier League outfit closing in on landing Ruben Amorim from Sporting CP.
Meanwhile, Noussair Mazraoui is the latest absentee after picking up a knee injury this past weekend against West Ham United. The Moroccan international has joined Luke Shaw (calf), Leny Yoro (foot), Harry Maguire (calf), Tyrell Malacia (knee), Kobbie Mainoo (hamstring), Mason Mount (knock), and Antony (ankle) on the sidelines.
There is no clarity on the timeline of Mazraoui’s return, with van Nistelrooy not holding a pre-match press conference ahead of the EFL Cup tie against Leicester City this midweek. However, he will unlikely represent Manchester United this midweek. Meanwhile, Malacia has recently taken part in training.
With Mazraoui unavailable, Diogo Dalot will likely line up alongside Lisandro Martinez as the wing-back pairing for the home side. So, Victor Lindelof and Matthijs de Ligt should form the central defensive pairing, with the former making a rare start for the home side.
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 against Leicester City on Wednesday night. As for the midfield unit, Manuel Ugarte should pair up with Christian Eriksen in the double pivot.
Bruno Fernandes will reprise the no. 10 role, with Amad Diallo and Alejandro Garnacho being the two wide attackers. With Diallo returning to the starting lineup, Marcus Rashford will drop to the bench. Finally, Joshua Zirkzee will lead the line for the home side against Leicester City, replacing Rasmus Hojlund as the central striker.
Predicted Manchester United XI: Onana; Dalot, de Ligt, Lindelof, Martinez; Ugarte, Eriksen; Diallo, Bruno Fernandes, Garnacho; Zirkzee
