Antony, Mason Mount, and Raphael Varane should return to the Manchester United starting lineup against Newcastle United on Wednesday.
Manchester United will aim to reach the EFL Cup quarter-finals when they welcome Newcastle United to Old Trafford in the fourth round on Wednesday night. And Erik ten Hag does not have any new injury concerns to deal with ahead of his side’s latest fixture.
Lisandro Martinez, Tyrell Malacia, and Luke Shaw remain on the sidelines. In addition, Amad Diallo is weeks away from regaining fitness, although he has started light work on the grass. Meanwhile, Jadon Sancho’s exile from the first team is no closer to ending.
But Casemiro and Aaron Wan-Bissaka have inched closer to returning to action after resuming training. There has been no fitness update on players ahead of the cup fixture on Wednesday. But Erik ten Hag had spoken about Kobbie Mainoo in the build-up to the Manchester Derby this past weekend.
He said, “That’s good news, because we counted on him this season. He’s a midfield player and we can use his capabilities, his physicality, his taking the ball. He’s brave, so [he has] all abilities and skills. He can contribute to the team.”
Mainoo will be in contention to feature against Newcastle United on Wednesday. But he might not start, with ten Hag easing him back into the thick of the action. Casemiro might also have to wait before he returns to the starting lineup. So, Sofyan Amrabat and Christian Eriksen should pair up in the double pivot.
There should be wholesale changes in other positions on the pitch, particularly in the offensive unit. Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford will likely drop to the bench, with Mason Mount and Alejandro Garnacho returning to the team.
Meanwhile, Antony is in line to start on the right flank, with Garnacho taking up the left-wing berth. Mount will reprise the no. 10 role, with Rasmus Hojlund spearheading the attack against Newcastle United. So, Rashford, Bruno Fernandes, and Anthony Martial will be options on the bench.
As for the defensive unit, Raphael Varane will return after surprisingly missing the game against Manchester City. Varane will form the central defensive partnership alongside Harry Maguire, with Diogo Dalot and Sergio Reguilon featuring as the full-backs. Finally, Andre Onana will retain his spot between the sticks.
Predicted Manchester United XI: Onana; Dalot, Varane, Maguire, Reguilon; Amrabat, Eriksen; Antony, Mount, Garnacho; Hojlund
