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Struggling Bruno Fernandes could be given a new role by manager Erik ten Hag in Manchester United’s home match against Spurs tomorrow.
The skipper has been struggling for form and there has been speculation he could be dropped for the crucial game.
However, Ten Hag has other problems, namely, the midfield.
Casemiro has been seemingly banished from the first team after a long spell of poor form. Recently he has been replaced by Christian Eriksen in midfield, with new signing Manuel Ugarte not fully match fit or up to speed with the pace of the Premier League.
However, two matches per week is a big ask for the 31 year old Dane and having started Wednesday’s Europa League match brilliantly, scoring a stunner, he visibly tired toward the end and lost possession at a crucial moment to gift Twente their equaliser.
Eriksen could and maybe should be rested after four games in two weeks, but other than young Toby Collyer or Mason Mount, there are no other options to partner Kobbie Mainoo in midfield.
With three United wingers – Amad, Alejandro Garnacho and Marcus Rashford – all playing well, playing Bruno as an eight could therefore make sense for United. It would take the pressure off the captain to get goals and assists, keep some creativity in the holding midfield area and allow Marcus Rashford to play just ahead of Joshua Zirkzee, who looks more of a 10, in the forward positions.
Ugarte, Eriksen, Mount and Rasmus Hojlund could then be options on the bench to change things up in the second half if needed.
In defence, we think Matthijs de Ligt will be brought back in for Harry Maguire at centre back. The Dutchman was rested on Wednesday and while Maguire did not do too much wrong, De Ligt and Lisandro Martinez seems to be the preferred partnership.
Victor Lindelof is back in training but is unlikely to feature and Leny Yoro is still injured.
Luke Shaw is still injured and Tyrell Malacia is not yet ready to start his comeback, although in theory he could make the bench. So Noussair Mazraoui and Diogo Dalot are likely to continue as right and left back, respectively.
With Andre Onana in goal, here, then, is our predicted line-up for tomorrow’s 4.30pm kick off:
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2024-09-28 11:00:23
