Predicted Man United XI vs Sheffield United: Christian Eriksen and Antony to start | OneFootball

Erik ten Hag will be lucky to field a full squad of senior players for tonight’s game against Sheffield United as Manchester United’s injury crisis reaches unbelievable proportions.

Before the last outing against Coventry City in the FA Cup semi-final, three new players were added to the already busy treatment table when Mason Mount, Sofyan Amrabat and Willy Kambwala were ruled out.

During that match, even more injuries were sustained to Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho, Scott McTominay and Bruno Fernandes.

Pre-existing injuries had already ruled out Lisandro Martinez, Raphael Varane, Victor Lindelof, Jonny Evans, Luke Shaw, Tyrell Malacia and Anthony Martial.

Meanwhile, Harry Maguire has been playing with an injury, according to teammate Casemiro.

Of all of these, it seems that Maguire, Garnacho and Fernandes are the most likely to make the starting line-up tonight.

Premierinjuries.com rate McTominay, Rashford, Kambwala and Amrabat as having a 25% chance of playing.

In making our predicted XI, we have ruled them out although the fact that some potential replacements who have featured on the bench in recent games – Harry Amass, Ethan Wheatley and Louis Jackson – played for the Under 18’s in the Premier League Cup last night would suggest they will not be called upon. So perhaps Ten Hag is confident that one or two of those “very doubtfuls” will make it to the bench at least.

Fortunately Andre Onana is fit and will play in goal.

The back four is expected to be unchanged from the one that let in three late goals against Coventry, with Diogo Dalot at right back, Casemiro and Harry Maguire the centre backs and Aaron Wan-Bissaka at left back.

With McTominay and Amrabat probably out, Christian Eriksen looks the obvious choice to partner Kobbie Mainoo in central midfield.

Garnacho and Fernandes will probably be joined by Antony in the attacking midfield, with Rasmus Hojlund up top.

Amad is another option after another good cameo against Coventry. Ten Hag spoke glowingly of him in the pre-match presser.

He also said “Tomorrow we will be creative and put a team out which is able to win the game… even if we have to be really creative and put players in other positions,” which suggests there may be more players moving to an unfamiliar role. For example, Fernandes (if fit) could play deeper and Amad could come into the attack to replace him.

With all that in mind, here is our predicted XI for tonight’s 8pm kick-off at Old Trafford:

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