Raphael Varane and Marcus Rashford will return to the Manchester United starting lineup against FC Copenhagen on Wednesday.
Manchester United will look to embark on a winning run in the UEFA Champions League when they lock horns with FC Copenhagen at Parken on Wednesday night. And Erik ten Hag has greeted positive updates on the team news front ahead of his side’s latest fixture.
Victor Lindelof (illness) and Marcus Rashford (knock) are available and part of the travelling squad after recovering from their respective issues. But Luke Shaw (muscle injury), Tyrell Malacia (knee), Lisandro Martinez (foot), and Casemiro (hamstring) remain on the sidelines.
Erik ten Hag provided a fitness update on Rashford during his pre-match press conference. The Dutch tactician insisted that the Englishman was ready to return to the field. Meanwhile, he also spoke about Harry Maguire, who suffered a knock on the head against Fulham this past weekend.
He said, “[He is] 100 per cent [ready]. Rashy missed one game [with] a small knock, but he’s back. So, we did all the protocols during the game, after the game, he’s [Harry Maguire] ready to play.”
The manager then discussed the issues surrounding Casemiro and Martinez. He said, “I have some time schedules but it’s always difficult to predict that because there can be setbacks during a rehab period.”
“I’m always holding back a little bit on such issues. I expect some players back [soon] but Casemiro and Martinez are really strong injuries – I don’t expect them back before Christmas. It’s several weeks [out for Casemiro].”
With Casemiro still unavailable, Christian Eriksen and Scott McTominay should retain their partnership in the double pivot in the middle of the park. Meanwhile, Bruno Fernandes, the match-winner against Fulham, will reprise his usual no. 10 role.
The fit-again Rashford should return to the starting lineup this week, replacing Alejandro Garnacho on the left flank. The offensive unit should see another change, with Facundo Pellistri coming in for Antony. But Rasmus Hojlund will retain his spot, spearheading the attack against FC Copenhagen.
Finally, the defensive unit should see one change, with Raphael Varane likely replacing Jonny Evans as Harry Maguire’s central defensive partner. But Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Diogo Dalot will retain their spots as the two full-backs, with Sergio Reguilon missing out again. The quartet will protect Andre Onana between the sticks.
Predicted Manchester United XI: Onana; Wan-Bissaka, Varane, Maguire, Dalot; McTominay, Eriksen; Pellistri, Fernandes, Rashford; Hojlund
