Manchester United welcome Sheffield United to Old Trafford on Wednesday as they resume Premier League action following their FA Cup semi-final drama.
Erik ten Hag’s side set up a repeat of last year’s final against Manchester City but only after surviving a major scare against Coventry, beating the Championship side on penalties after blowing a three-goal lead.
On the eve of that game, Mason Mount, Sofyan Amrabat and Willy Kambwala were all ruled out of the trip to Wembley, with ten Hag forced to name a centre-half partnership of Casemiro and Harry Maguire.
To make matters worse, United appeared to lose both Scott McTominay and Marcus Rashford to injury in extra time, with both pictured limping through the mixed zone after the game.
Along with Kambwala, Lisandro Martinez, Raphael Varane, Victor Lindelof and Jonny Evans missed Sunday’s semi-final, with Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia also still sidelined.
The Dutchman hopes to have some options back for the FA Cup final on 25 May but his comments post-match suggested any returns before the visit of Sheffield United on Wednesday could be unlikely.
‘It would be helpful if we have some returning players in the squad and in the team that are fit,’ ten Hag said.
‘If you want to beat Manchester City, you don’t need even 11 players, you need a squad.’
Varane was ruled out for ‘a few weeks’ following the defeat to Chelsea on 11 April while Evans’ injury was thought to be a minor issue having been ruled out ahead of the 2-2 draw with Bournemouth.
To make matters worse, Maguire has also been carrying a knock, training just once last week heading into yesterday’s game.
Amid that defensive crisis, 18-year-old centre-half Louis Jackson was included in the matchday squad alongside fullbacks Harry Amass and Habeeb Ogunneye, with forward Ethan Wheatley also making the trip to the capital.
Ten Hag is expected to provide further updates on his defensive options along with Rashford, Mount and McTominay when he speaks to the press on Tuesday.
Amad Diallo will be hopeful of securing his first Premier League start of the season having replaced the injured Rashford in extra-time on Sunday.
Predicted Man Utd XI vs Sheffield United: Onana, Dalot, Casemiro, Maguire, Wan-Bissaka, Mainoo, Eriksen, Garnacho, Fernandes, Diallo, Hojlund
Man Utd vs Sheffield United kick-off time
As part of a full midweek schedule, United hosts the Blades on Wednesday 24 April with kick off at 8pm [BST].
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