David de Gea and Paul Pogba are set to start while Fred and Alex Telles are ruled out as Manchester United get set to face Burnley in the Premier League.
Manchester United will be raring to bounce back strongly after their weekend FA Cup exit when they lock horns with bottom-placed Burnley in the Premier League at Turf Moor on Tuesday night.
Interim manager Ralf Rangnick has been handed a double blow in the lead up to the game as Brazilian duo Fred and Alex Telles have been ruled out after testing positive for coronavirus. However, Jesse Lingard and Edinson Cavani are back in contention for selection after missing the cup tie against Middlesbrough.
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“They are both available and will both be part of the squad for tomorrow’s game at Burnley,” confirmed Rangnick at his pre-match press conference. “Both are top professionals, both have been training well.”
Raphael Varane, who picked up a knock in the weekend clash, is fit for the trip to Burnley. “He [Varane] seems to be physically fit,” Rangnick said. “He has no issues anymore with injuries. Hopefully, we can have him in the same fitness shape and same form as he was against Middlesbrough for the upcoming games.”
The Frenchman ought to start again for Manchester United alongside Harry Maguire at the heart of the defence. With Telles ruled out, Luke Shaw should retain his spot in the lineup, while Diogo Dalot is a shoo-in ahead of Aaron Wan-Bissaka at right-back. David de Gea, who was named the Premier League Player of the Month for January, should return to the side after being rested for the cup tie.
Fred’s absence will be a blow for Manchester United, considering that he had been in good form before the winter break. With the Brazilian sidelined, Rangnick is unlikely to change anything in the middle of the park, with Scott McTominay set to start in the No. 6 role, while Paul Pogba and Bruno Fernandes take up the remaining two slots in the centre.
Jadon Sancho picked up a minor knock in the cup defeat but is expected to be available for selection. Having scored a goal in that clash, the England international should retain his place in the side, slotting in on the left flank ahead of Anthony Elanga. Marcus Rashford is also likely to hold on to his spot on the right while Cristiano Ronaldo, who turned 37 last week, will lead the line.
Manchester United Predicted XI: De Gea, Dalot, Varane, Maguire, Shaw, Fernandes, McTominay, Pogba, Rashford, Ronaldo, Sancho.
