Raphael Varane and Jadon Sancho will return, but Casemiro will be unavailable for the FA Cup tie between Manchester United and Fulham.
Manchester United will aim to progress to the FA Cup semi-finals when they welcome Fulham to Old Trafford on Sunday evening. And Erik ten Hag has new roster issues hampering his preparations ahead of his side’s latest fixture.
Casemiro is the most notable absentee, with the Brazilian international beginning his suspension on Sunday. He has joined Christian Eriksen (ankle), Donny van de Beek (knee), Alejandro Garnacho (ankle), and Anthony Martial (hip) on the sidelines.
In addition, ten Hag is sweating over the fitness of Scott McTominay (knock) and Antony (illness). The Dutchman spoke about Antony and Martial during an interview with club media. He said, “So we have to talk about [it] and I think Anthony Martial will not be available and Antony dos Santos, we have to see how he will progress.”
The Manchester United boss also addressed concerns surrounding Casemiro’s absence. He said, “We did really well without Casemiro, against Arsenal, the two against Leeds. I think we also did really well without Casemiro also at the start of the season, but I want to have Casemiro available, because he has a huge impact on our game.”
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In another update during his interview with club media, ten Hag also revealed the update on McTominay. He said, “As you said, we just returned. We have to see, to see the doc. I have an idea but I have to see the progress with some players. About the last game, that is why I didn’t bring him in, Scott McTominay, [as] he had some complaints. We have to see how that will progress in the coming hours and days.”
McTominay will unlikely start amid his battle to regain fitness. So Marcel Sabitzer and Fred will pair up in the double pivot in the midfield unit in the absence of Casemiro. And Bruno Fernandes will be the most advanced midfielder for Manchester United.
Similarly, Antony’s fitness issues mean Jadon Sancho and Facundo Pellistri will vie for the right-wing berth. And Sancho should pip the young Uruguayan to the spot. The Englishman will join Marcus Rashford and Wout Weghorst in the offensive unit.
Meanwhile, ten Hag should make wholesale changes to the backline after resting some regulars. Raphael Varane will return, forming the central defensive partnership with Lisandro Martinez. And the full-back spots will also see changes, with Diogo Dalot and Luke Shaw replacing Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Tyrell Malacia. Finally, there is no looking past David de Gea between the sticks.
Predicted Manchester United XI: de Gea; Dalot, Varane, Martinez, Shaw; Fred, Sabitzer; Sancho, Bruno Fernandes, Rashford; Weghorst
