Casemiro will return in the midfield, while Joshua Zirkzee will replace Rasmus Hojlund as the Manchester United striker against Brentford on Saturday.
Manchester United will be desperate to return to winning ways when they welcome Brentford to Old Trafford on Saturday afternoon. And Erik ten Hag has several new fitness concerns hampering his preparations ahead of his side’s latest fixture.
Kobbie Mainoo is the most notable absentee, with a hamstring injury keeping him on the sidelines for the next four weeks. In addition, Luke Shaw (calf), Leny Yoro (foot), Harry Maguire (calf), and Tyrell Malacia (knee) remain unavailable, while there are concerns around Noussair Mazraoui due to a heart condition.
While Mazraoui has taken part in training, it is unclear if he will be ready to take on Brentford. In addition, Erik ten Hag is sweating over the fitness of Manuel Ugarte (muscular) and Alejandro Garnacho (knee), although the latter has trained this week. Meanwhile, the Dutchman provided a team news update during his pre-match press conference.
The Manchester United manager said, “Kobbie and Harry are out for a couple of weeks [but] Mazraoui is good news. He faced an illness but he returned on the training pitch and he’s available for selection tomorrow.”
“[Shaw and Malacia?] They are back but we can’t force their return. We have to do it very carefully because we don’t want a return and then they quickly drop out. So, we do it very carefully, but, of course, we hope to do it as soon as possible because this team needs a left full-back, that’s for sure.”
Andre Onana will take his usual spot between the sticks, with Manchester United lining up in a 4-2-3-1 formation in front of him against Brentford on Saturday. The backline will feature Diogo Dalot, Matthijs de Ligt, Lisandro Martinez, and Jonny Evans, with the latter starting as the left-back.
As for the midfield unit, Christian Eriksen and Casemiro pick themselves in the absence of Ugarte and Mainoo, although Mason Mount is also an option. Bruno Fernandes will reprise the no. 10 role, with Amad Diallo and Marcus Rashford being the two wide attackers. Finally, Joshua Zirkzee will likely lead the line for Manchester United against Brentford, with Rasmus Hojlund dropping to the bench.
Predicted Manchester United XI: Onana; Dalot, de Ligt, Martinez, Evans; Eriksen, Casemiro; Diallo, Bruno Fernandes, Rashford; Zirkzee
