Marcus Rashford and Rasmus Hojlund will return to the Manchester United starting lineup against Manchester City in the FA Cup final on Saturday.
Manchester United will aim to win a 13th FA Cup when they lock horns with Manchester City in the final at Wembley on Saturday afternoon. And Erik ten Hag has greeted positive updates on the team news front ahead of his side’s latest fixture.
Victor Lindelof, Mason Mount, and Anthony Martial are close to returning to action this weekend. The trio will face late fitness tests but will unlikely be fit enough to start on Saturday. However, Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw, and Tyrell Malacia remain on the sidelines and have played for the final time in the 2023/24 season.
Erik ten Hag provided a fitness update on several players during his pre-match press conference. The Dutch tactician revealed that Maguire was unavailable while elaborating on the English defender’s issue.
The Manchester United manager said, “Harry Maguire is unavailable but the rest, all the players you mentioned [Lindelof, Mount and Martial], they are – I think – available. We have, tomorrow, final training and then we have final decisions. But, as I oversee it now, it looks good. I don’t think so. It’s just he doesn’t make it. It didn’t heal as we expected.”
While Maguire is unavailable, Raphael Varane returned to action last weekend and should pair up with Lisandro Martinez at the heart of the defence. Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Diogo Dalot will start as the two full-backs, with Andre Onana taking his usual spot between the sticks.
As for the midfield unit, there is no looking past Casemiro and Kobbie Mainoo, with the former returning to his primary position. So, Scott McTominay and Sofyan Amrabat will drop to the bench, even though the latter has been impressive in his recent showings.
Bruno Fernandes will reprise the no. 10 role, while Amad Diallo will continue his recent run in the Manchester United starting lineup. Finally, Marcus Rashford and Rasmus Hojlund will return, with Alejandro Garnacho dropping to the bench. Hojlund will lead the line for the Red Devils, while Rashford will start on the left flank.
Predicted Manchester United XI: Onana; Wan-Bissaka, Varane, Martinez, Dalot; Casemiro, Mainoo; Amad Diallo, Bruno Fernandes, Rashford; Hojlund
