A combination of need for match fitness and more injury concerns could lead Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag to field a very different-looking team against Barnsley in the Carabao Cup tomorrow evening.
Ten Hag will want to build momentum after the 3-0 victory over Southampton on Saturday, but with games coming thick and fast, he also needs to rest legs and bring some fringe players up to speed.
The boss has already said that tomorrow’s match has already come too soon for the likes of Luke Shaw, Mason Mount and Rasmus Hojlund, so we must assume that also goes for Leny Yoro, Tyrell Malacia and Victor Lindelof, who are even further away from fitness.
Add to this doubts over several players who limped off against Southampton – Noussair Mazraoui, Matthijs de Ligt, Lisandro Martinez and Harry Maguire – and options are starting to look thin.
While some of those, especially De Ligt, may recover, they may still not be risked.
Last season, Altay Bayindir was only afforded one start for his new club United, an FA Cup tie against Newport County while Andre Onana was away on international duty.
With so many more matches to be played this time around, the Turk surely will be given more chances and what better opportunity than a home tie against a League 1 side?
Diogo Dalot may be asked to press on due to the lack of suitable alternatives at right back if Mazraoui is indeed injured. But the Portuguese will switch to the right, allowing young Harry Amass a start at left back.
With Jonny Evans potentially the only fit centre back available, Casemiro could get more minutes under his belt alongside him in a role that might be better suited to him now that his legs make it difficult to put in a full shift in midfield.
There is every reason to start Manuel Ugarte as Ten Hag continues to integrate him in the team. He could be partnered by Toby Collyer in midfield. Christian Eriksen may need rest after starting against the Saints and Kobbie Mainoo certainly needs more protection this season after being used relentlessly last term.
Antony is another player who has had virtually no game time so he could be given a chance on the right wing, with Amad rested ahead of a tough trip to Crystal Palace on Saturday. On the other flank, Marcus Rashford could also be rested, with Alejandro Garnacho starting after another supersub goalscoring appearance against the Saints.
Captain Bruno Fernandes never wants to be rotated and so is expected to play, especially given Mount’s ongoing absence.
Josh Zirkzee is still finding his feet in English football and will likely play again as he continues to build his fitness levels.
Here then, is our predicted line-up for tomorrow night’s 8pm kick-off at Old Trafford:
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