Kobbie Mainoo and Altay Bayindir will return to the Manchester United starting lineup against FCSB in the UEFA Europa League tie at the National Arena on Thursday.
Manchester United will aim to clinch a spot in the UEFA Europa League top eight when they lock horns with FCSB at the National Arena in Bucharest on Thursday night. Ruben Amorim has a new injury concern that is hampering his preparations ahead of his side’s latest fixture.
Amorim is sweating over Manuel Ugarte’s fitness after the Uruguayan international picked up a knock this past weekend against Fulham. However, there is some good news, as Luke Shaw has resumed training this week and is closing in on returning to action.
So, Jonny Evans (muscle) and Mason Mount (hamstring) are the only players on the sidelines for the away side. Meanwhile, during his pre-match press conference, Amorim did not provide a fitness update on any player. However, he responded to questions on Marcus Rashford again.
The Manchester United manager said, “Again, the situation is the same as with every player. Last time, I talked about him. In the last game, my sentence was that I will not put any player in who won’t give the maximum. I didn’t say I would not put Marcus Rashford in. It’s the same situation. When I feel it’s the right moment, I will put any player in to play again.”
“We are a better team with Marcus Rashford. That is clear. he is a big talent but, until the right moment, I will not change my mind. That is all. Always the same answer. It’s the same thing for everybody. Some players that don’t play – Rashford is not selected and that is my choice. Imagine a profile of the players now, imagine a talent like Marcus Rashford.”
The Manchester United boss continued, “The team should be so much better with Marcus Rashford but he has to change. If he changes, we are more than welcome to put a talent like Marcus Rashford and we need it. In this moment, I think it’s really clear, I have to set some standards, that is all. You try to make it something personal but it is nothing against Marcus. I just have to make the same rules for everybody. For me, it’s so simple and always the same.”
Altay Bayindir will likely replace Andre Onana between the sticks, with Manchester United lining up in a 3-4-2-1 formation in front of him against FCSB on Thursday. The central defensive unit should feature Leny Yoro, Harry Maguire, and Lisandro Martinez, with Matthijs de Ligt dropping to the bench.
As for the midfield unit, Toby Collyer and Kobbie Mainoo should pair up in the central areas, with Ugarte, who has travelled with the squad to Bucharest, dropping to the bench to get some rest. Noussair Mazraoui and Diogo Dalot will continue as the two wing-backs. Finally, Rasmus Hojlund will lead the line for the away side against FCSB on Thursday, with Bruno Fernandes and Amad Diallo providing the creative impetus from the advanced areas.
Predicted Manchester United XI: Bayindir; Yoro, Maguire, Martinez; Dalot, Collyer, Mainoo, Mazraoui; Amad, Bruno Fernandes; Hojlund
