Erik ten Hag is sweating over the fitness of Bruno Fernandes ahead of the game between Manchester United and Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.
Manchester United will aim to return to winning ways when they lock horns with Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Monday night. And Erik ten Hag has a new injury concern hampering his preparations ahead of his side’s latest fixture.
Harry Maguire has picked up a muscle injury in training and will be unavailable for a couple of weeks. The English international has joined Luke Shaw (hamstring), Lisandro Martinez (calf), Tyrell Malacia (knee), Raphael Varane (muscle injury), Victor Lindelof (thigh), and Willy Kambwala (knock) on the sidelines.
Meanwhile, Erik ten Hag is sweating over the fitness of Jonny Evans, Scott McTominay, Bruno Fernandes, Marcus Rashford, and Anthony Martial. The Dutchman spoke about Rashford on nearly every player during his pre-match press conference.
The Manchester United manager said, “We have some players with question marks. Rashy, I think he is a big doubt. For Monday, at this moment, I do not expect him back. Hopefully, he can make the turn but that is also the same for Bruno Fernandes. I regret also to say but he is also a big doubt. He is still fighting for the game on Monday night.”
“The good news is Jonny Evans returned to the training pitch and, if the two days go well, he will be in the squad. I also expect Scott McTominay, he didn’t train during the course of the week, but I expect him back on the training ground and on the pitch on Saturday. He then has two training [sessions] going into that game with Crystal Palace.”
With Maguire unavailable, Jonny Evans should return to the starting lineup, joining Casemiro at the heart of the Manchester United defence. Diogo Dalot and Aaron Wan-Bissaka will continue as the full-backs, with Andre Onana taking his usual spot between the sticks.
As for the midfield unit, McTominay should be fit enough to pair up with Kobbie Mainoo in the double pivot in the middle of the park. Bruno Fernandes will likely shrug off his issue to reprise the no. 10 role, with Alejandro Garnacho and Antony being the two wide attackers. Finally, Rasmus Hojlund will lead the line for the away side against Crystal Palace.
Predicted Manchester United XI: Onana; Wan-Bissaka, Casemiro, Evans, Dalot; McTominay, Mainoo; Antony, Bruno Fernandes, Garnacho; Hojlund
