Facundo Pellistri will return to the Manchester United starting lineup against Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday.
Manchester United will look to bounce back to winning ways and kick-start their UEFA Champions League campaign strongly when they lock horns with Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday night. And Erik ten Hag has a new injury concern hampering his preparations ahead of his side’s latest fixture.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka faces a spell on the sidelines for several weeks after sustaining a hamstring injury. The 25-year-old has joined Tom Heaton (calf), Tyrell Malacia (knee), Luke Shaw (muscular injury), Kobbie Mainoo (ankle), Mason Mount (thigh), and Amad Diallo (knee) on the sidelines.
But Mainoo has begun light work on the grass, with Sofyan Amrabat also closing in on his return. Meanwhile, Raphael Varane and Mason Mount have resumed full training with the rest of the unit. But the duo is not a part of the travelling squad for Wednesday’s fixture. In addition, Harry Maguire misses out due to a knock.
Meanwhile, Erik ten Hag spoke about the mounting injury crisis in his squad during his pre-match press conference. The Dutchman was exasperated but accepted the situation he and his team find themselves in at the moment. He said, “Yes, of course, it is a concern. That is why we knew that before, when we constructed the squad with that, so we can deal with it. The squad can deal with it.”
The Manchester United boss then revealed why Maguire missed the trip to Munich while claiming he never started his strongest eleven last season. He said, “He had some complaints and we have to see how bad it is. So he finished training but it was not good enough to travel. One thing is true, from the start last season, I almost never started with the best, in my opinion, starting XI.”
With Maguire and Varane on the sidelines, Victor Lindelof and Lisandro Martinez are the only centre-backs available. The duo will join the only fit full-backs — Diogo Dalot and Sergio Reguilon — in the defensive unit. Meanwhile, Andre Onana is an automatic pick between the sticks.
As for the midfield unit, ten Hag might ditch the diamond system and go back to the 4-2-3-1 formation. So Casemiro and Christian Eriksen should pair up in the double pivot, with Bruno Fernandes being the most advanced midfielder.
Fernandes will look to pull the strings in the final third but might often have to drop deep into the midfield. Meanwhile, Facundo Pellistri should get a chance to impress, featuring on the right flank. The Uruguayan international will likely join Marcus Rashford and Rasmus Hojlund in the offensive unit.
Predicted Manchester United XI: Onana; Dalot, Lindelof, Martinez, Reguilon; Casemiro, Eriksen; Pellistri, Bruno Fernandes, Rashford; Hojlund
