Fred will return, but Antony will be unavailable due to an illness ahead of the game between Manchester United and Real Betis on Thursday.
Manchester United will be determined to reach the UEFA Europa League quarter-finals when they lock horns with Real Betis at the Benito Villamarin Stadium on Thursday evening. And Erik ten Hag has new roster issues hampering his preparations ahead of his side’s latest fixture.
Alejandro Garnacho is the latest name in the treatment room. The 18-year-old picked up an ankle injury against Southampton this past weekend and is out for the foreseeable future. In addition, Antony misses the trip to Seville due to an illness.
Garnacho and Antony have joined Christian Eriksen (ankle) and Donny van de Beek (knee) on the sidelines. But there is some good news, as Marcel Sabitzer (knock) and Anthony Martial (hip) have resumed training after recovering from their respective issues.
During his pre-match press conference, ten Hag addressed questions on Antony and Garnacho. And the Dutch tactician confirmed that the former is recovering from an illness, saying, “Yes, [Antony is] unwell. [It is] Illness.”
On Garnacho, ten Hag said, “I can’t say exactly at this moment but it will take weeks. So it’s a serious injury I didn’t expect. A foul and a serious injury once again, after Christian Eriksen, a serious injury after a contact.”
“He makes good progression and he was selected by the national team. He was in a really good development. He will be back before the end of the season. We can win a lot so he has to be ready.”
With Garnacho and Antony unavailable, Jadon Sancho should feature as the right-winger for Manchester United. The English international will join Bruno Fernandes, Marcus Rashford, and Wout Weghorst in the final third.
As for the midfield unit, Casemiro will miss the next four domestic fixtures. But his suspension does not carry over to Europe, meaning he picks himself on Thursday. The Brazilian international will accompany compatriot Fred in the middle of the park.
Meanwhile, ten Hag might make a few rotations, with full-back duo Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Luke Shaw dropping to the bench. Diogo Dalot and Tyrell Malacia should thus start on the flanks. And Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez should form the central defensive pairing. Finally, David de Gea picks himself between the sticks.
Predicted Manchester United XI: de Gea; Dalot, Varane, Martinez, Malacia; Casemiro, Fred; Sancho, Bruno Fernandes, Rashford; Weghorst
