Rasmus Hojlund will return to the Manchester United starting lineup against Chelsea at Old Trafford on Wednesday.
Manchester United will be desperate to return to winning ways when they welcome Chelsea to Old Trafford on Wednesday night. And Erik ten Hag does not have any new issues hampering his preparations ahead of his side’s latest fixture.
Tyrell Malacia (knee), Lisandro Martinez (foot), Jonny Evans (hamstring), Casemiro (thigh), Mason Mount (calf), Christian Eriksen (knee), and Amad Diallo (knee) remain on the sidelines. Meanwhile, Jadon Sancho is still unavailable due to his continuing exile, as his bust-up with Erik ten Hag has not ended.
Erik ten Hag spoke with the Manchester United media to provide fitness updates on his squad. He responded to questions surrounding the availability of Evans, Mount, Eriksen, and Amad Diallo but revealed his squad strength remained the same.
The Dutchman said, “There are some positives, but [the quartet are] not back already in the squad. More or less [an unchanged squad on Wednesday], yeah. Yeah [workload is an issue], but I think we can pick the team, so we have a choice. So [it’s] a selection and players have to prove themselves all the time. It’s not that we are without players. I think, every time, we can put out a strong selection.”
The last comment was a response to possibly keeping a light workload for players who have recently returned from injury, namely Luke Shaw and Mainoo. But the duo should continue in the Manchester United starting lineup against Chelsea.
Shaw will return to his preferred left-back berth, with Victor Lindelof returning to the starting lineup as Harry Maguire’s central defensive partner. Diogo Dalot should complete the numbers in the backline, with Andre Onana taking his spot between the sticks.
As for the midfield unit, Mainoo should retain his spot alongside Scott McTominay in the double pivot. So, Sofyan Amrabat will find himself on the bench again and will likely appear as a second-half substitute. Bruno Fernandes will reprise his usual no. 10 role, pulling the strings for Manchester United.
Meanwhile, Marcus Rashford has been in the eye of the storm since the game against Newcastle United. But the English international should retain his spot in the final third, with Alejandro Garnacho continuing on the left flank. But the attack should see one change, with Rasmus Hojlund replacing Anthony Martial as the central striker.
Predicted Manchester United XI: Onana; Dalot, Maguire, Lindelof, Shaw; McTominay, Mainoo; Rashford, Bruno Fernandes, Garnacho; Hojlund
