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Jonny Evans and Bruno Fernandes should return to the Manchester United squad for tomorrow’s trip to London to face West Ham, but Antony has been added to the list of injured.
Erik ten Hag said Evans is back in training after missing Thursday’s trip to Fenerbahce with a knock and Fernandes returns from suspension.
Andre Onana is set to start in goal, but the rest of the defence is harder to predict.
Harry Maguire, Leny Yoro, Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia are all still unavailable, with the latter three now training but not match ready.
The most obvious back four line-up would be Dalot, De Ligt, Martinez and Mazraoui, but the boss could go with Dalot – De Ligt – Evans – Martinez or even Mazraoui – De Ligt – Evans – Dalot. Victor Lindelof is unlikely to be a starter.
We’ve gone for the first option and also predict that Ten Hag might keep Dalot at right back and switch the Moroccan to left back, rather than the other way around.
In midfield, Kobbie Mainoo is still injured and Christian Eriksen is in a rich vein of form, so the question is probably who will partner him in the twin pivot. Manuel Ugarte had his best game so far in a red shirt on Thursday so he seems likely to be picked ahead of Casemiro.
Fringe squad players Toby Collyer and Dan Gore have also been missing with injury but would be unlikely to start in any case.
Fernandes will undoubtedly return in the number 10 role. Mason Mount is also out as fans grow increasingly concerned over his seemingly perpetual absences through innocuous injuries.
On the wings, Ten Hag seems to have abandoned his early season strategy of rotating Amad, Alejandro Garnacho and Marcus Rashford and now seems convinced that the latter two are his regular starters. Lately he’s reversed them so that Rashford plays on the right and Garnacho on the left.
Amad seemed to have inexplicably fallen even behind Antony in the pecking order over the last few days, but the Brazilian’s injury could mean he will start to get more chances again.
Up front, Rasmus Hojlund will almost certainly return after being on the bench against Fenerbahce. He was superb last weekend against Brentford, while Josh Zirkzee continues to look like a fish out of water.
With all that in mind, here is our predicted XI for tomorrow’s 2pm kick off:
Featured image Carl Recine via Getty Images
