The Red Devils manager Erik ten Hag is now left with few options in the centre-back, with two of his preferred options unavailable.
Ten Hag is likely to put captain Harry Maguire straight into the starting XI
Manchester United are back in action against Burnley on Wednesday night in the past 16 Carabao Cup – but which of their World Cup stars will play at Old Trafford? A group of 25 trained in Carrington on Tuesday, with Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane absent as they made it to Sunday’s World Cup final. Man United manager Erik ten Hag is now left with few options in the centre-back, with two of his preferred options unavailable. He is likely to throw captain Harry Maguire straight into the starting XI. Harry was among those back at Carrington on Tuesday, along with his team-mates Marcus Rashford and Luke Shaw, after being knocked out of the FIFA World Cup play-offs by France. Victor Lindelof was part of United’s training camp in Spain and a clear candidate for Maguire’s centre-back partner for a visit of the Championship leaders.
The Red Devils are considering buying Cody Gakpo
Both have so far struggled to settle into a Ten Hag system that places more emphasis on playing the higher line and being more enterprising from possession to win the ball back above the field. Man United striker Anthony Martial is fit and firing for the restart of the season and will be particularly reliant on the coming weeks leading up to the January transfer window following the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo. Ten Hag is expected to share striking duties between Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford, with his options otherwise limited. The Red Devils are considering their options in the transfer market next month, with PSV and Netherlands striker Cody Gakpo among their startling targets. Still, they know FFP regulation spending over £200m over the summer. Ronaldo and United have mutually agreed to terminate their contract after he criticized the club and Erik Ten Hag in an explosive interview.
Dalot’s absence is a chance for Wan-Bissaka
A notable absentee from the leading group on Tuesday was Portugal defender Diogo Dalot, who has been United’s standout performer this season and impressed at the World Cup in Qatar too. Dalot was substituted with an apparent hamstring injury in the 79th minute of the FIFA World Cup quarter-final defeat to Morocco. His absence may have given Aaron Wan-Bissaka his first chance to impress Ten Hag in competitive play from the start since the Dutchman took over. The full-back has only played four minutes this season. The £50m signing from Crystal Palace in 2019 fell out due to the head coach and will be allowed to move on in January if offered. If this happens, a replacement may be signed.
Ten Hag chose to play left-footed full-back Tyrell Malacia, who also trained on Tuesday, at right-back in Diogo’s absence so far this season. Another sign that Wan-Bissaka is not in the coach’s plans. Brandon Williams has also recovered from his injury and could fill in at right back, making his comeback in two friendlies against Cadiz and Real Betis.