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Erik ten Hag is battling another injury crisis at Manchester United as he selects his squad for tomorrow’s home match against Brentford.
A number of stars have missed international duty due to knocks or have picked up injuries while playing for their national side.
In defence, Ten Hag would have been braced for several weeks’ absence for Noussair Mazraoui, who had a small heart procedure after suffering palpitations during United’s last match against Aston Villa.
However, the club announced yesterday that the player is already back in training and given his match fitness, there seems no reason why he should not start the game tomorrow.
This would mean Diogo Dalot should carry on at left back in the continued absence of Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia.
Shaw had been expected back after the international break, but as far as we can establish, he has not even returned to training yet as his bizarre absence continues.
Malacia is now back in team training but he will not be rushed back into action, having been absent for over a year. He could perhaps make the bench.
If Mazraoui doesn’t make it, then Dalot will probably return to right back and Jonny Evans could fill in at left back.
Harry Maguire is another new injury and will be out for a few weeks, so Matthijs de Ligt is expected to be recalled at right centre back. He and Lisandro Martinez were dropped for Maguire and Evans against Villa after poor performances against FC Porto.
Ten Hag is likely to also recall Martinez, given the pair’s familiarity with each other. With Leny Yoro still out, Evans and Victor Lindelof are the only other options.
Andre Onana will be in goal.
There are more problems for the manager in midfield. Kobbie Mainoo is sidelined for a few weeks and it has been reported – although not confirmed yet by the club – that Manuel Ugarte picked up a muscle injury while playing for Uruguay. Although he is back in light training, he will probably miss the game.
This means that Christian Eriksen and Casemiro look certain to start the game as the only two senior midfielders left available other than the inexperienced Toby Collyer.
Alejandro Garnacho and Amad both missed international duty due to knocks but both have returned to training and are expected to be available. Mason Mount is also back in training after suffering a head injury against Spurs two weeks ago.
Marcus Rashford is expected to start the game on the left wing, with Garnacho on the right. Amad’s fine start to the season has faded and in fact against Villa, Antony was preferred as substitute for Garnacho. He may even be chosen ahead of the Ivorian should Garnacho not make it. Mount is another option on the right flank.
Bruno Fernandes will play in the number 10 role and Rasmus Hojlund will likely lead the line, although he too, in the week, admitted he is not fully fit and struggling to play more than 70 minutes. Josh Zirkzee is another option.
Ten Hag should provide an update on some of the doubtful stars duing today’s press conference.
With all that in mind, here is our predicted XI for tomorrow’s 3pm kick off:
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2024-10-18 08:45:58
