Altay Bayindir and Sofyan Amrabat will make their first starts for Manchester United in the EFL Cup third round against Crystal Palace on Tuesday.
Manchester United will seek a place in the fourth round of the EFL Cup when they welcome Crystal Palace to Old Trafford in the EFL Cup third round on Tuesday night. And Erik ten Hag has greeted positive updates on the team news front ahead of his side’s latest fixture.
Harry Maguire and Mason Mount have been training in the days leading up to the EFL Cup clash. In addition, Lisandro Martinez will hope to return to action this week after battling an ankle issue. But Erik ten Hag still has a plethora of players on the sidelines.
Luke Shaw (muscle injury), Aaron Wan-Bissaka (hamstring), Tyrell Malacia (knee), Kobbie Mainoo (ankle), and Amad Diallo (knee) remain in the treatment room. In addition, Antony and Jadon Sancho are unavailable due to their respective off-field issues.
Meanwhile, ten Hag did not conduct a press conference before the EFL Cup tie. But the Manchester United website has provided a comprehensive team news update, suggesting Altay Bayindir should be a debutant.
Bayindir should start a game for Manchester United for the first time since arriving on Deadline Day of the summer transfer window. But the defensive unit should remain unchanged, with Victor Lindelof and Jonny Evans featuring as the two centre-backs.
Meanwhile, Diogo Dalot and Sergio Reguilon are the only fit full-backs, thus becoming automatic picks in the backline. As for the midfield unit, Sofyan Amrabat is in line to make his first start for the Red Devils on Tuesday. Amrabat has done well to recover from a back injury and will be eager to kick-start his stint at Old Trafford strongly.
Amrabat’s availability also means that ten Hag can rest Casemiro, with the Brazilian international being out of sorts this season. Meanwhile, the Moroccan midfielder should join Christian Eriksen in the double pivot, with Scott McTominay being an option on the bench.
Bruno Fernandes might be the only undisputed first-choice player starting against Crystal Palace. The Manchester United captain will reprise his usual no. 10 role, with Alejandro Garnacho and Facundo Pellistri being the two wide attackers. Finally, Anthony Martial should spearhead the attack. So, Rasmus Hojlund and Marcus Rashford will be backup options on the bench.
Predicted Manchester United XI: Bayindir; Dalot, Lindelof, Evans, Reguilon; Amrabat, Eriksen; Pellistri, Bruno Fernandes, Garnacho; Martial
