FA CUP
Manchester United injury update ahead of Liverpool FA Cup tie: predicted line-up
Here’s how Erik ten Hag’s side could line up ahead of their FA Cup clash with Liverpool.
As Manchester United ‘walk among the wilderness’, as Michael Owen put it to AS, they look into the distance at the FA Cup, the only thing left for them this season. European dreams never existed and they tripped over their shoelaces in the Premier League title race as soon as the starting gun popped.
Added to Erik ten Hag’s season as he goes from smiley to grumpy to mid-distance gazing, thinking of how nice life really was in Amsterdam, is a heap of injured players in red shirts. At least it’s only Liverpool they’ve got to play (Sunday, March 17, 11.30 a.m. ET/ 8.30 a.m. PT.) to keep their season gasping for air as the water rises.
Here’s the team news from Salford...
Manchester United team news
Maguire, Højlund and Wan-Bissaka all trained on Friday, with ten Hag saying “I think [they’re going to be available]. We have, tomorrow, one session. We have to see how they recover from this tomorrow. But it looks good.”
The 12-time FA Cup winners, who last tasted success in the 2015/16 season, have Lisandro Martinez ruled out, as well as back-up goalkeeper Altay Bayindir. Tyrell Malacia, Luke Shaw and Anthony Martial are the side’s long-term absentees but Mason Mount is making progress, and is close to reappearing.
Omari Forson is out injured, while Jonny Evans has been, according to the club, nursing a minor issue.
“Tom Heaton is back as well,” said Ten Hag, before giving more good news: “Also, what was very good was Mason Mount trained all week with us, the first part of the week also partly. But then, also he had some full sessions with us, so it’s looking good.”
Manchester United possible starting XI:
GK: Onana
DEF: Lindelof - Maguire - Varane - Dalot
MID: Casemiro - Mainoo - Fernandes - McTominay
ATT: Rashford - Garnacho
“Just as we need our players on top form,” Ten Hag mentioned in his pre-game programme notes, “the same is true of our fans...The prizes on offer today are huge: a return to Wembley, a step closer to a major trophy and a win over our biggest rivals. To achieve those goals, everybody inside Old Trafford has a part to play, working as one big team. Together, we are a formidable force.”
Manchester United take on Liverpool in the FA Cup quarter-final at Old Trafford on Sunday, March 17. The game is set to kick-off at 11.30 a.m. ET/ 8.30 a.m. PT. You can follow the action live on AS USA.