As injuries start to get better at Old Trafford, five stars could be back in the Manchester United team to play Liverpool on Sunday.
Erik ten Hag, the manager, told the press before the game that Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Harry Maguire, and Rasmus Hojlund had all practiced this week and should be able to play again.
He also said that Tom Heaton and Mason Mount have started working again.
Heaton might have to sit on the bench because Altay Bayindir is said to be hurt and won’t be able to play. Andre Onana will always be the first choice in goal, of course.
Wan-Bissaka could be thrown back into the game at right back, which would let Diogo Dalot move to left back while Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia are still out.
Since Victor Lindelof and Sofyan Amrabat have both been used in that role as fill-ins, neither of them looked comfortable, so Ten Hag may be ready to take a risk by rushing Wan-Bissaka back in a game that could decide his whole future at United.
We think Ten Hag will stick with Lindelof because he is match fit. Maguire could also come right back in to play centre back with Raphael Varane. It’s likely that Jonny Evans is hurt because he has pulled out of the Northern Ireland team for the upcoming internationals. Lisandro Martinez is almost ready to play and has been called up for Argentina, but he probably won’t be able to go on Sunday.
We expect the same lineup in the middle of the pitch, with Casemiro and Kobbie Mainoo behind Bruno Fernandes.
You could also use Amrabat, Scott McTominay, or Christian Eriksen, and Mount might even make the bench.
Since Hojlund has only been out for a few weeks, he will definitely play centre forward right away. This will let Marcus Rashford go back to his preferred left wing spot and Alejandro Garnacho play on the right.
Antony and Amad are not going to be good choices. Anthony Martial is still hurt, and it’s not clear yet if Omari Forson has fully returned from a knock.
