Predicted Man United XI vs Brighton and Hove Albion: Raphael Varane to return | OneFootball

Erik ten Hag has the luxury of a team selection dilemma for tomorrow’s Premier League match against Brighton.

The manager looks to be finally getting the majority of his squad back together after a season blighted with injuries, with Raphael Varane, Victor Lindelof and Anthony Martial all filmed in training this week.

Of the three, the most likely to make the starting XI is Raphael Varane, who has only been out of action for six weeks.

Ten Hag has been insistent he will not rush players back from injury, but the goal of fielding a match-fit Varane-Martinez partnership against Manchester City in the FA Cup final next Saturday rather than Casemiro-Evans is surely one that must be attempted.

Martinez got a few minutes against Newcastle in midweek and although ideally, they would both be given 30-40 minutes tomorrow, an hour under their belts would really be the best preparation for the big event.

Varane and Martinez were one of the best centre-back pairings in the Premier League last season whereas the ageing Evans and Casemiro, despite restricting Arsenal to just one goal last weekend, look like lambs to the slaughter against Pep Guardiola’s men.

Andre Onana will, of course, be in goal for United tomorrow and Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Diogo Dalot the full backs.

Luke Shaw, Tyrell Malacia and Harry Maguire are all still injured. Willy Kambwala could make the bench.

In midfield, many fans are calling for Sofyan Amrabat’s inclusion again after one heroic one-against-three defensive intervention against Newcastle. However, we expect Ten Hag to stick by Casemiro and push him back up into holding midfield alongside Kobbie Mainoo.

Bruno Fernandes looked to be holding his hamstring when substituted on Wednesday but there have been no reports of him being injured. We have therefore assumed he will be fit to play and take up his usual number 10 role.

Other midfield options are Scott McTominay and Christian Eriksen. As far as we know from the club, Mason Mount is still injured.

Assuming Fernandes is fit, the final three attacking spots present a selection headache for Ten Hag. The form player is undoubtedly Amad Diallo, but he is by far the least experienced. Marcus Rashford and Antony have both been off-form this season but are potential match winners on their day, as is Alejandro Garnacho, who has looked a little jaded lately.

Meanwhile, Rasmus Hojlund was dropped from the starting XI against the Magpies but came on to score with virtually his first kick, so he will be brimming with confidence.

That goal should see him restored to the starting line-up and Ten Hag will probably want to see if Amad can keep up his impressive form. The left wing spot will be a toss-up between Rashford and Garnacho. If resting the Argentinian is not deemed necessary, he should be the one to start.

Martial could make the bench at the expense of youngster Ethan Wheatley.

With all that in mind, here is our predicted line-up for tomorrow’s 4pm kick off at the Amex:

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