"The Red Devils are at full strength minus defender Matthijs de Ligt as they look to close the gap on the top four, with Bryan Mbeumo and Amad Diallo both returning to team training after their respective Africa Cup of Nations exits with Cameroon and the Ivory Coast. United are seventh in the Premier League table with 17 games to go, and they are three points off Liverpool in fourth. Fletcher reverted to a back four for both matches, departing from Amorim's 3-4-2-1 vision. It is expected for Carrick to do similar, playing a 4-2-3-1 shape as he did when he took caretaker charge for three games after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was dismissed in November 2021."
"The former United midfielder's team selection should be relatively straight forward to predict, with Senne Lammens in net to start with. Altay Bayindir did not get a run-out from Fletcher against Brighton, and it is likely to be a similar back four as it was against the Seagulls. Luke Shaw missed out on the matchday squad for an unknown reason at the weekend, but he could return at left-back in place of Patrick Dorgu, who moved back into the defensive quartet after starting on the left wing at Burnley. Leny Yoro partnered Lisandro Martinez against Brighton, and the latter was replaced by Harry Maguire late on as United searched for a late equaliser. Maguire could start here in place of Yoro to add a bit more physicality alongside Martinez in place of the injured de Ligt. In the engine room, Kobbie Mainoo was handed only his second start of the campaign in the FA Cup at the weekend, and it remains to be seen whether he will be given the nod by Carrick to partner Casemiro in the double pivot. Bruno Fernandes will captain the side from No10, while Matheus Cunha played off the right against Brighton, with Mason Mount on the left. That is likely to change this time around, with Mbeumo set to return on the right flank, while Amad offers another option off the bench."
Manchester United sit seventh in the Premier League, three points behind fourth with 17 games remaining. Matthijs de Ligt is injured, while Bryan Mbeumo and Amad Diallo have returned to training after AFCON exits. Interim planning points to a 4-2-3-1 formation mirroring Fletcher's recent reversion to a back four. Senne Lammens is expected in goal, with a similar defensive quartet to the Brighton game and a possible Luke Shaw return. Lisandro Martinez may pair with Harry Maguire for added physicality. Casemiro could anchor the double pivot with Kobbie Mainoo competing for minutes. Bruno Fernandes will lead from No10, with Mbeumo likely on the right and Amad available off the bench; Benjamin Sesko should lead the line with Joshua Zirkzee as an option.
Read at www.standard.co.uk
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