Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes is set to lead the team into battle against Aston Villa at Villa Park this Sunday. A mixed week for the Portuguese midfielder saw him get two reds in two games-a first from a challenge on James Maddison during last weekend’s 3-0 loss to Tottenham Hotspur and another as he was given a second yellow for a high boot in Thursday’s 3-3 draw against Porto in the Europa League.
Nevertheless, Fernandes may captain his side at least this Sunday, after his three-match domestic ban has been suspended with immediate effect. The Europa League red card does not obstruct his club fixture because the captain is only banned for domestic matches.
Despite having to deal with injuries to key players, Ten Hag will still field an under-strength side. Injured players include Leny Yoro (foot), Luke Shaw (calf), and Tyrell Malacia (knee). Meanwhile, Kobbie Mainoo and Mason Mount’s injuries incurred during the game against Tottenham are still under examination.
Marcus Rashford impressed during the first half of Thursday’s match, but he was taken off at halftime. Ten Hag’s explanation, however, was that this was a tactical substitution and not due to any injury. Alejandro Garnacho made a tremendous impact after coming on and could now find himself in attack alongside Rashford, Fernandes, and Joshua Zirkzee, with Amad Diallo a likely substitute to start.
Ten Hag put attention to the young Kobbie Mainoo, who trained before Porto’s match, but it remains to be seen whether he might risk the young midfielder, more likely to go for Christian Eriksen in midfield with Manuel Ugarte.
And so it’s back to the drawing board with the Manchester United defence, set for some possible variation. Neither Matthijs de Ligt nor Lisandro Martinez could bring forth anything too impressive against Porto, giving way for Harry Maguire to make an entrance after scoring a crucial late goal.
Manchester United possible starting lineup:
Onana; Mazraoui, De Ligt, Maguire, Dalot; Eriksen, Ugarte; Garnacho, Fernandes, Rashford; Zirkzee
