Erik ten Hag is seemingly tempted to rest several Manchester United players for Sunday’s Premier League clash with Leicester City.
The game is sandwiched between two huge Europa League encounters against Barcelona, with the Red Devils drawing 2-2 in the first of those on Thursday.
As a result, Ten Hag may look to give certain members of the team an afternoon off against the Foxes.
The busy fixture schedule was something he acknowledged in his pre-match press conference, when the Dutchman said: “It is about if we do the things right and we are ready and we have been in this rhythm for many weeks.
“So our players are doing really well in their sleep, in their recovery, in their food and they will be ready for Sunday. Definitely.”
But should Ten Hag opt to freshen up his team, he faces an issue with a lack of options in key areas. In midfield, for instance, United only have three options due to Casemiro’s suspension and Scott McTominay’s injury, although the latter could be in contention to return to the bench on Sunday.
Likewise, Antony and Anthony Martial are closing in on comebacks but almost certainly won’t be able to start. It means Wout Weghorst or Marcus Rashford will have to play up front, and with Ten Hag unlikely to play Facundo Pellistri or Anthony Elanga from the off, one of Jadon Sancho or Alejandro Garnacho will likely start.
Defence is one place where the Red Devils have greater depth however, with Diogo Dalot, Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof on the bench on Thursday, and Lisandro Martinez to return to the squad against Leicester after missing out on the trip to Barcelona.
Ten Hag is expected to rotate at the back but select a similar midfield and attack for the visit of Brendan Rodgers’ side. Here’s how they’re likely to line up against the Foxes on Sunday.
4-2-3-1 – De Gea; Magiure, Martinez, Dalot, Shaw; Sabitzer, Fred; Fernandes, Rashford, Garnacho; Weghorst