Manchester United will be without Victor Lindelof when they take on Partizan Belgrade in the UEFA Europa League, but Mason Greenwood is in line to start.
Manchester United will be looking to maintain their unbeaten start in the 2019-20 UEFA Europa League when they welcome Serbian heavyweights Partizan Belgrade to Old Trafford for their fourth Group L encounter. And the Red Devils have been dealt with a fresh injury problem heading into the game as Victor Lindelof has been ruled out with a back problem.
Speaking to MUTV on the eve of the game, manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said, “No, Victor is out, so he won’t be available. Hopefully he can make the weekend but I’m not sure.” Lindelof joins fellow defenders Eric Bailly, Axel Tuanzebe, Luke Shaw, Diogo Dalot and Timothy Fosu-Mensah on the sidelines, along with midfielders Paul Pogba and Nemanja Matic.
With Lindelof out, Phil Jones is likely to get a look-in into the starting XI against Partizan on Thursday night. Harry Maguire could also be given some rest by Solskjaer, which would open up a place for Marcos Rojo at the heart of the Manchester United defence. Sergio Romero ought to replace David de Gea in goal for the Europa League fixture.
Manchester United captain Ashley Young should start at left-back ahead of Brandon Williams given that the veteran is suspended for the weekend Premier League clash. There is no looking past Aaron Wan-Bissaka for the right-back slot, with Dalot still sidelined.
Scott McTominay is a key member of this Manchester United side and should continue to be a regular fixture in the middle of the park. However, there may be a change of partners for the Scotsman, with fellow academy man James Garner likely to get the nod ahead of Fred, after having impressed in the reverse fixture last month.
Juan Mata and Jesse Lingard are vying for the No. 10 spot on Thursday, but the latter is likely to get the starting berth. Daniel James has been the in-form attacker for Manchester United and should be held on to on the left flank. Marcus Rashford could be given a breather though, opening up a spot for Mason Greenwood on the right wing against Partizan.
Anthony Martial, who scored the only goal of the game in the reverse fixture in Serbia, ought to be leading the line for Manchester United once again on Thursday night.
Manchester United Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Romero; Wan-Bissaka, Jones, Rojo, Young; McTominay, Garner; Greenwood, Lingard, James; Martial
