Alejandro Garnacho will return, but Fred might not feature when Manchester United and West Ham United meet in the FA Cup fifth round.
Manchester United will aim to progress to the FA Cup quarter-finals when they welcome West Ham United at Old Trafford on Wednesday night. And Erik ten Hag has new injury concerns hampering his preparations ahead of his side’s latest fixture.
Luke Shaw and Fred are doubtful to start against West Ham after picking up knocks in the Carabao Cup final against Newcastle United. In addition, Anthony Martial (hip), Christian Eriksen (ankle), and Donny van de Beek remain on the sidelines.
During his pre-match press conference, ten Hag spoke about Fred and Shaw. But he could not ascertain whether either player would be fit to feature against West Ham. In addition, he ruled Martial out of the FA Cup tie.
He said, “Of course, yesterday [Monday], the players were still enthusiastic and they had to celebrate this momentum. But, yesterday, after we settled down, we get back to work. What we had to do was recovery and the ones who played less did a good training session. Anthony Martial is not available and Luke Shaw and Fred are questions for tomorrow [Wednesday].”
Elaborating on Martial’s absence and a possible timeline for his return, ten Hag said, “I hope but I won’t give a prospective [time], or an expectation about that. Let him do his work, as several times now, he has been back and he drops back too quickly.”
“We [have to] give him the time and I hope he is on board but first, in this moment, we are doing really well in this set-up. When he is available, we will have another option, a good option. Let’s give him the time and we will see when he is back. Then we will be happy because we have a quality option extra for the rest of the season.”
With Martial still unavailable, Wout Weghorst will likely start again as the central striker. But ten Hag might rotate his troops to keep the pivotal players fresh. So Alejandro Garnacho and Jadon Sancho should come in for Marcus Rashford and Antony on the flanks.
Bruno Fernandes might still retain his spot due to a lack of alternatives. But Casemiro will drop to the bench, with Scott McTominay replacing him. Meanwhile, Fred will likely make way for Marcel Sabitzer in the double pivot.
As for the defensive unit, ten Hag will unlikely take a chance with Shaw’s fitness. And Tyrell Malacia should start as the left-back. As for the right-back berth, Aaron Wan-Bissaka will come in for Diogo Dalot. Finally, Victor Lindelof and Harry Maguire should be the centre-backs, with Tom Heaton featuring between the sticks.
Predicted Manchester United XI: Heaton; Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Maguire, Malacia; McTominay, Sabitzer; Sancho, Bruno Fernandes, Garnacho; Weghorst
Alejandro Garnacho will return, but Fred might not feature when Manchester United and West Ham United meet in the FA Cup fifth round.
Manchester United will aim to progress to the FA Cup quarter-finals when they welcome West Ham United at Old Trafford on Wednesday night. And Erik ten Hag has new injury concerns hampering his preparations ahead of his side’s latest fixture.
Luke Shaw and Fred are doubtful to start against West Ham after picking up knocks in the Carabao Cup final against Newcastle United. In addition, Anthony Martial (hip), Christian Eriksen (ankle), and Donny van de Beek remain on the sidelines.
During his pre-match press conference, ten Hag spoke about Fred and Shaw. But he could not ascertain whether either player would be fit to feature against West Ham. In addition, he ruled Martial out of the FA Cup tie.
He said, “Of course, yesterday [Monday], the players were still enthusiastic and they had to celebrate this momentum. But, yesterday, after we settled down, we get back to work. What we had to do was recovery and the ones who played less did a good training session. Anthony Martial is not available and Luke Shaw and Fred are questions for tomorrow [Wednesday].”
Elaborating on Martial’s absence and a possible timeline for his return, ten Hag said, “I hope but I won’t give a prospective [time], or an expectation about that. Let him do his work, as several times now, he has been back and he drops back too quickly.”
“We [have to] give him the time and I hope he is on board but first, in this moment, we are doing really well in this set-up. When he is available, we will have another option, a good option. Let’s give him the time and we will see when he is back. Then we will be happy because we have a quality option extra for the rest of the season.”
With Martial still unavailable, Wout Weghorst will likely start again as the central striker. But ten Hag might rotate his troops to keep the pivotal players fresh. So Alejandro Garnacho and Jadon Sancho should come in for Marcus Rashford and Antony on the flanks.
Bruno Fernandes might still retain his spot due to a lack of alternatives. But Casemiro will drop to the bench, with Scott McTominay replacing him. Meanwhile, Fred will likely make way for Marcel Sabitzer in the double pivot.
As for the defensive unit, ten Hag will unlikely take a chance with Shaw’s fitness. And Tyrell Malacia should start as the left-back. As for the right-back berth, Aaron Wan-Bissaka will come in for Diogo Dalot. Finally, Victor Lindelof and Harry Maguire should be the centre-backs, with Tom Heaton featuring between the sticks.
Predicted Manchester United XI: Heaton; Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Maguire, Malacia; McTominay, Sabitzer; Sancho, Bruno Fernandes, Garnacho; Weghorst