Ruben Amorim has said he will rotate his Manchester United team tonight as they travel to Cleethorpes to face Grimsby Town in the second round of the League Cup.
For many of Amorim’s squad, it will be a chance to get some minutes under their belt and show the head coach that they deserve a place in the starting XI when the Premier League resumes on Saturday.
Defence
Andre Onana is highly likely to be recalled in goal after missing out on the first two games through lack of match fitness. If for some reason he does not play, the existing rumours that he might leave the club will spread like wildfire.
Harry Maguire and Ayden Heaven need minutes and will probably start in defence. But in the absence of Noussair Mazraoui, there is no obvious candidate to replace Leny Yoro. So the Frenchman could keep his place in the side while Matthijs de Ligt and Luke Shaw take a breather.
Lisandro Martinez is also still out injured.
Wing Backs and Midfield
Amad and Patrick Dorgu could be rested for this one, with Diogo Dalot and Diego Leon given an opportunity to get some miles on the clock.
Central midfield could also be changed, with Manu Ugarte and Kobbie Mainoo coming in for Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes. As in Onana’s case, if Mainoo does not start, the transfer rumours will reach fever pitch.
Forwards
Bryan Mbeumo did not have much of a pre-season, so we expect he will be glad of the extra 90 minutes of action on the right of the attack. Matheus Cunha, on the other hand, could be rotated with Josh Zirkzee needing a run out following an injury lay-off.
Benjamin Sesko also needs minutes so it seems the perfect opportunity for him to start his first match in a red shirt.
Mason Mount and Chido Obi are other options.
With all that in mind, here is our predicted Xi for tonight’s game:
Featured image Shaun Botterill via Getty Images
Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social
Red Billy
Red Billy is the managing editor of The Peoples Person, author of three books and totally obsessed with football’s transfer market. Billy still insists Matteo Darmian and Alex Telles could have made it at United given half a chance.
