Amad Diallo will replace Alejandro Garnacho in the Manchester United starting lineup against Southampton at Old Trafford on Thursday.
Manchester United will aim to build on the last two results against Liverpool and Arsenal when they welcome Southampton to Old Trafford on Thursday night. And Ruben Amorim has a new roster issue hampering his preparations ahead of his side’s latest fixture.
Diogo Dalot is the latest absentee after seeing red in the FA Cup third-round tie with Arsenal this past weekend. The Portuguese international has joined Jonny Evans (muscle), Luke Shaw (calf), Victor Lindelof (knock), and Mason Mount (hamstring) on the sidelines.
Meanwhile, in a conversation with MUTV, Amorim provided a fitness update on a few players while discussing team news updates. The Portuguese tactician said, “That is really important, to have these opportunities to see other players, to change the team sometimes to have fresh legs, fresh minds. So it’s an opportunity for another player.”
The Manchester United manager continued, “We just have some doubts on players who were really tired in the last game. We cannot afford to lose players for many games and our players are ready to cope with the demands of the game. There are no changes in the players available.”
Amorim provided a specific fitness update on players, saying, “Harry was sick in the last game. He was dead in the end – and that’s what I want from every player. [Playing against the Saints?] Harry, we will see. We cannot lose him, so we will see. Martinez, I think, is okay. Diogo cannot play – his fault!”
The Manchester United manager added, “Luke Shaw is nearer than Mason Mount. Mason Mount will take a little bit longer. Luke, we’ll see in the next week or two. We’ll see if he’s returning.”
Andre Onana will replace Altay Bayindir between the sticks, with the home side lining up in a 3-4-2-1 formation in front of him against Southampton on Thursday. The central defensive unit should feature Leny Yoro, Harry Maguire, and Lisandro Martinez, with Matthijs de Ligt getting some rest after his excursion against Arsenal.
Tyrell Malacia will replace the suspended Diogo Dalot as the left wing-back, with Noussair Mazraoui continuing on the right flank. As for the midfield unit, Toby Collyer should line up alongside Manuel Ugarte in the double pivot. Finally, Joshua Zirkzee should lead the line for the Red Devils, with Amad Diallo and Bruno Fernandes completing the numbers in the offensive unit. So, Alejandro Garnacho will be a backup option on the bench for Amorim.
Predicted Manchester United XI: Onana; Yoro, Maguire, Martinez; Mazraoui, Ugarte, Collyer, Malacia; Diallo, Bruno Fernandes; Zirkzee
