Harry Maguire will replace Victor Lindelof in the Manchester United starting lineup against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Thursday.
Manchester United will be eager to return to winning ways when they lock horns with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Thursday night. And Erik ten Hag has new injury concerns hampering his preparations ahead of his side’s latest fixture.
Victor Lindelof has picked up a hamstring injury, while Lisandro Martinez is unavailable due to a calf issue. The duo has joined Luke Shaw (hamstring), Tyrell Malacia (knee), and Anthony Martial (groin) on the sidelines.
However, there is some good news, with Raphael Varane and Jonny Evans fit and available to take on Chelsea. And Erik ten Hag provided a fitness update on several players during his pre-match press conference.
The Manchester United manager said, “[There are] no more issues. In the frontline and in midfield, we are okay. We have options there. In the backline, we have a lack of options but the good thing is, this afternoon, back in training are Rapha Varane and Jonny Evans, and Harry Maguire was already back in training yesterday.”
Erik ten Hag also discussed his squad’s injury woes during his presser. He said, “You can’t prevent it and you also see it is not only us. The standards that the Premier League, in terms of intensity, are so high and the overload into the schedule, also with international football, is so huge.”
“We have all internationals in our squad and you see it is not only us. [Manchester] City has problems, Liverpool has problems, Newcastle has problems, there are many other teams. In this moment, especially the defending department [is struggling]. But, in midfield and in the frontline, the players are available.”
Lindelof and Martinez’s absence means Harry Maguire will return to the heart of the Manchester United defence against Chelsea, pairing up with Raphael Varane. Diogo Dalot and Aaron Wan-Bissaka should continue as the two full-backs, with Andre Onana taking his usual spot between the sticks.
As for the midfield unit, Casemiro is in contention to return. But Scott McTominay and Kobbie Mainoo should pair up in the double pivot. Bruno Fernandes will reprise his usual no. 10 role, with Alejandro Garnacho and Marcus Rashford being the two wide attackers. Finally, Rasmus Hojlund will lead the line against Chelsea.
Predicted Manchester United XI: Onana; Wan-Bissaka, Varane, Maguire, Dalot; McTominay, Mainoo; Garnacho, Bruno Fernandes, Rashford; Hojlund
