Erik ten Hag has been sweating over the fitness of Marcus Rashford and Harry Maguire ahead of the game between Manchester United and Everton.
Manchester United will be eager to return to winning ways when they welcome Everton to Old Trafford on Saturday afternoon. And Erik ten Hag has greeted positive updates on the team news front ahead of his side’s latest fixture.
Marcus Rashford and Jonny Evans have shrugged off knocks to be available to take on Everton. However, Harry Maguire is not fit enough to return from a minor issue that forced him to miss the last two games. In addition, Omari Forson has picked up an injury and will be unavailable this weekend.
But Luke Shaw (hamstring), Lisandro Martinez (knee), Aaron Wan-Bissaka (muscle injury), Tyrell Malacia (knee), Mason Mount (calf), Rasmus Hojlund (muscular), and Anthony Martial (groin) remain on the sidelines. Meanwhile, ten Hag provided a fitness update on a few players during his pre-match press conference.
The Manchester United manager said, “That is the good news, they [Evans and Rashford] recovered after the derby. So they are available. For the rest it is the same squad, apart from Omari Forson. He dropped out. He has an injury.”
He continued, “For next week I think some players are planning to return. So when the process will continue like now. Harry Maguire, Aaron Wan-Bissaka I expect to be back for our game against Liverpool. Hojlund [is] similar, yeah.”
With Maguire still unavailable, Jonny Evans should retain his spot in the starting lineup. The veteran defender will pair up Raphael Varane at the heart of the Manchester United defence, with Victor Lindelof and Diogo Dalot being the full-backs. Meanwhile, there is no looking past Andre Onana between the sticks.
As for the midfield unit, Kobbie Mainoo and Casemiro pick themselves as the preferred pairing in the double pivot. Bruno Fernandes will reprise his usual no. 10 role, with Antony and Alejandro Garnacho being the two wide attackers. Finally, Marcus Rashford will lead the line for the home side against Everton.
Predicted Manchester United XI: Onana; Dalot, Varane, Maguire, Lindelof; Casemiro, Mainoo; Antony, Bruno Fernandes, Garnacho; Rashford
