Bruno Fernandes is unavailable to turn out for Manchester United against Fenerbahce in the UEFA Europa League at the Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium on Thursday.
Manchester United will be desperate to get their first win of the 2024/25 UEFA Europa League season when they lock horns with Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium on Thursday night. And Erik ten Hag has new roster issues to worry about ahead of his side’s latest fixture.
Bruno Fernandes is the most notable absentee, with the Portuguese international serving a suspension after seeing red against FC Porto on Matchday 2. The skipper has joined Leny Yoro (foot), Harry Maguire (muscle), Luke Shaw (calf), Tyrell Malacia (knee), Kobbie Mainoo (muscle), Mason Mount (knock) and Toby Collyer (unspecified) on the sidelines.
In addition, Jonny Evans is not in the travelling squad to take on Fenerbahce due to a knock he sustained this past weekend against Burnley. Meanwhile, during his pre-match press conference, Erik ten Hag spoke about Mount’s progress while placing faith in the players available for Thursday’s game.
The Manchester United manager said, “The players who are available have to do the job and they are capable of doing the job. I think we have enough players in the team that are so experienced. Our team is so experienced.”
“We’ve faced such situations more often. I think we’re looking forward, I think it will be a great ambience that’s fuel for the team and it’s a real challenge, it’s a motivation, it’s really good for us. I think a bit longer [to wait for Mount], that’s what we expected. I think he will be back soon.”
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. The backline should feature Noussair Mazraoui, Matthijs de Ligt, Lisandro Martinez, and Diogo Dalot.
As for the midfield unit, with Casemiro fit and available, the veteran midfielder will pair up with Manuel Ugarte in the double pivot. Bruno Fernandes’s absence means Christian Eriksen will reprise the no. 10 role. Finally, Joshua Zirkzee will lead the line for the away side against Fenerbahce, with Marcus Rashford and Amad Diallo completing the numbers in the attack.
Predicted Manchester United XI: Onana; Mazraoui, de Ligt, Martinez, Dalot; Ugarte, Casemiro; Diallo, Eriksen, Rashford; Zirkzee
