Cristiano Ronaldo and Anthony Martial will return to the starting lineup when Manchester United take on Omonia Nicosia on Thursday.
Manchester United will hope to remain within touching distance of Real Sociedad when they lock horns with Real Sociedad at the GSP Stadium on Thursday evening. And Erik ten Hag has a few pressing injury concerns to deal with ahead of his side’s latest fixture.
Raphael Varane is the latest absentee for the visitors after sustaining a hamstring injury against Manchester City on Sunday. The Frenchman has joined Harry Maguire, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, and Donny van de Beek on the sidelines.
Erik ten Hag provided an update on the quartet during his pre-match press conference. The Manchester United boss hopes to have Varane at his disposal soon, with Maguire likely being a long-term absentee.
The Dutch manager said, “They are unavailable for tomorrow. Yes, in the case of Rapha, I have good hope [that he comes back soon]. Harry will take a little bit longer. The other two, I cannot give a prognosis.”
Victor Lindelof and Lisandro Martinez are the only centre-backs in Manchester United’s travelling squad. And the duo should form the central defensive partnership, with Diogo Dalot and Luke Shaw being the two full-backs. Behind the quartet, Martin Dubravka should make his Manchester United debut on Thursday against Omonia.
Up ahead in midfield, Casemiro and Fred will hope to feature after failing to secure many minutes in the Premier League this season. The Brazilian duo will form the double pivot in the middle of the park, with Bruno Fernandes playing in front of them.
Bruno Fernandes will don the captain’s armband for the Red Devils, hoping to provide incisive passes through the middle. Meanwhile, Christian Eriksen and Scott McTominay will be the backup midfielders for the visitors. Anthony Martial and Cristiano Ronaldo will be the go-to attackers for Manchester United.
Ronaldo will spearhead the attack against Omonia, with Martial likely starting on the left flank. Finally, Anthony Elanga will complete the offensive unit, with Marcus Rashford, Antony and Jadon Sancho among the backup options on the bench for the Red Devils.
Predicted Manchester United XI: Dubravka; Dalot, Lindelof, Martinez, Shaw; Casemiro, Fred; Elanga, Bruno Fernandes, Martial; Ronaldo
