The second international break is underway and Manchester United don’t play until October 16 but there has been significant team news ahead of the game, with both Edinson Cavani and Fred set to miss the encounter at Leicester.
The pair will be on opposing teams just over 24 hours before Manchester United’s trip to Leicester as Uruguay face Brazil, with neither player likely to play any part in the vital Premier League fixture.
Cavani was unlikely to feature regardless, with Cristiano Ronaldo’s omission against Everton not believed to be a long-term measure. Fred, who is often a mainstay in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side, will be a bigger miss to the Norwegian, who now must rotate his midfield.
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Fred’s exclusion could offer Donny van de Beek a final chance to impress, with the midfielder struggling for minutes since he joined the club from Ajax last year. An attacking 4-3-3 formation was trialled against Villarreal in the Champions League last year and Van de Beek would offer the chance to do so, lining up next to Bruno Fernandes in front of Scott McTominay, who played the defensive midfield role against Unai Emery’s side in the 2-1 win.
Further up the pitch, Jadon Sancho will be unlucky to not feature against Brendan Rodgers’ side after his impressive cameo against Everton.
Mason Greenwood and Ronaldo are likely to play whilst at the back, Harry Maguire is still expected to miss the game as he continues his recovery from a calf problem.