Manchester United are definitely without three of the players who started against Sevilla in the first-leg at Old Trafford when they travel to Spain on Thursday. The biggest question is whether Marcel Sibitzer will be fit enough to return to the starting eleven after missing the game on Sunday.
Bruno Fernandes will miss this one due to suspension, after he was booked in the first half of last week’s 2-2 draw.
The Reds will also be without their primary centre-back pairing of Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane.
Martinez is out for the rest of the season, while the seriousness of Varane’s injury is unknown. The former France international and his partner welcomed a new baby girl into the world this week.
Varane is likely to spend a few weeks on the sidelines. That means Erik ten Hag will have to start Harry Maguire or Victor Lindelof — possibly both — in the upcoming matches. They kept a clean sheet in a 2-0 win over Nottingham Forest on Sunday, so cut the chuckle brothers some slack.
According to Manchester United’s official website, the manager is awaiting news on Tyrell Malacia and Marcel Sabitzer, who are doubts ahead of the second-leg. The Netherlands left-back missed missed our trip to Forest and Luke Shaw was another absentee.
Sabitzer’s return is needed because of Fernandes’ suspension. The Portugal international has not missed many games for United this season and we could struggle without his presence in midfield. The Austrian is someone I think Ten Hag can trust in multiple runs whether the team needs to attack, defend or do both.
The other injuries to the squad include Scott McTominay and Marcus Rashford, but neither are expected to return for this match. The same applies for Alejandro Garnacho.
We suspect Ten Hag will give away more information at tomorrow’s press conference.
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