Joshua Zirkzee will replace Rasmus Hojlund in the Manchester United starting lineup against Tottenham Hotspur in the EFL Cup quarter-final on Thursday.
Manchester United will aim to reach the EFL Cup semi-finals when they lock horns with Tottenham Hotspur at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Thursday night. And Ruben Amorim has a new injury concern that is hampering his preparations ahead of his side’s latest fixture.
Mason Mount is the latest absentee after pulling up injured in the early minutes of the Manchester Derby this past weekend. The English international has joined his compatriot, Luke Shaw, on the sidelines.
In addition, Amorim has been sweating over the fitness of Noussair Mazraoui, and he will take a late call on the Moroccan international’s availability. Meanwhile, during his pre-match press conference, the Portuguese tactician provided a fitness update on Mount and Mazraoui.
The Manchester United manager said, “Mason Mount is not available. He has an injury. Nous, we will see today. The rest of the squad are ready to play the game. We have to asses all the players and try not to get a lot of injuries. If we do that, we’ll be stronger in these kind of moments.”
“They [Alejandro Garnacho and Marcus Rashford] are training, so we will see. We have one more training [session], like I said in the press conference, they are our players. We are better with them. If they cope with training and the engagement with team-mates, they will be ready to play.”
Meanwhile, Amorim discussed the situation with Marcus Rashford during his presser. The Manchester United boss said, “I spoke with a lot of players individually and during training. What I want is to take the best of Marcus Rashford and the other players. Don’t talk about future – talk about present. I want the best, I want to win and help the team be better. We are better with Marcus Rashford and that’s simple. We have to push him to the level he’s shown in the past.”
Despite Amorim’s comments, everything is not right in the camp, with Rashford not on the away side’s travelling squad to take on Tottenham Hotspur. However, Alejandro Garnacho is back, and he will be in contention to feature. Meanwhile, Joshua Zirkzee should replace Rasmus Hojlund as the central striker, with Amad Diallo and Bruno Fernandes being the two playmakers.
Diogo Dalot and Tyrell Malacia will be the two wing-backs, with Casemiro and Kobbie Mainoo being the two central midfielders. The central defensive unit should feature Lisandro Martinez, Leny Yoro, and the resurgent Harry Maguire. Finally, there is no looking past Andre Onana between the sticks.
Predicted Manchester United XI: Onana; Yoro, Maguire, Martinez; Dalot, Mainoo, Casemiro, Malacia; Diallo, Bruno Fernandes; Zirkzee
