With the Manchester derby looming just three days later, Ruben Amorim is likely to rotate his Manchester United side against Viktoria Plzen tomorrow evening. However, he needs to be careful because any slip ups in the tie could leave the side’s hopes of automatic qualification for the Europa knockout stages in serious jeopardy.
Viktoria are level on points with the Red Devils on nine so in a sense the game is a six-pointer.
Given the importance of the tie, Andre Onana will start in goal over Altay Bayindir.
Victor Lindelof is back in training and could come straight in alongside Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martinez, with Matthijs de Ligt and Leny Yoro taking a rest.
Jonny Evans is also back in training but it may be too soon for him.
Luke Shaw remains injured – the only star still out of action – and is ruled out.
Noussair Mazraoui and Diogo Dalot will probably be the preferred wing backs on Sunday so they are both likely to be rested, although the Moroccan was also on the bench against Forest on Saturday so the intention could be to start him in the back three, with Martinez also taking a break.
Amad could start his second consecutive match at right wing back, with a view to a more defensive option against City. Tyrell Malacia could be named as left wing back.
Manu Ugarte will be a key player on Sunday so will probably also be rested. Kobbie Mainoo could partner Bruno Fernandes in midfield, with Amorim not seeming keen on Casemiro or Christian Eriksen at the moment.
Toby Collyer is also back in training but we don’t expect him to make the starting XI.
Rasmus Hojlund and Alejandro Garnacho could also be rested, with a front three of Mason Mount, Josh Zirkzee and Marcus Rashford expected.
Antony is also an option.
It’s an early kick off tomorrow in Pilsen at 5.45pm GMT. Here is our predicted XI:
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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.
