Ruben Amorim will be without the previously ever-present Diogo Dalot for tonight’s Premier League Clash against Southampton at Old Trafford.
The Portuguese is serving a one-match suspension after being sent off against Arsenal on Sunday.
Amorim may replace Dalot with Tyrell Malacia at left wing back, but as it’s a home game against the bottom team in the league, we think he will adopt a more attacking formation.
Noussair Mazraoui could switch to the left, with Amad coming back in as right wing back.
Harry Maguire or Matthijs de Ligt could be rested for Leny Yoro as Amorim continues to integrate the young prodigy into the starting XI slowly.
Lisandro Martinez is likely to be the third centre back.
Victor Lindelof, Jonny Evans and Luke Shaw are all still injured.
In midfield, Christian Eriksen could get a run out alongside either Kobbie Mainoo or Manuel Ugarte to provide some creativity.
Toby Collyer performed admirably in Sunday’s Cup game and there is also the option of Casemiro, but we expect them both to be on the bench.
Eriksen’s presence in midfield will allow Bruno Fernandes to play a more advanced role, perhaps alongside Alejandro Garnacho, who has started to find form of late, and Josh Zirkzee.
Zirkzee has come on as substitute for Rasmus Hojlund in the last few games and looked the better player. He will be buzzing after scoring the winning penalty against the Gunners on Sunday, and Hojlund probably would benefit from a rest.
Antony is another option on the wings, but Mason Mount is still injured. Marcus Rashford is also technically available, but it is looking likely he will leave the club this month and may not even be in the squad.
Despite reserve keeper Altay Bayindir’s heroics and man-of-the-match performance at the weekend, Andre Onana will return in goal.
With all that in mind, here is our predicted XI for tonight’s game:
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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.
