3rd round league cup

In football Ive found that every single performance and victory (no matter against whoever) is a stepping stone for a squad of players to collectively achieve their aims. I expect United to take the Soton result into the next game (Barnsley), win that and take that result into the Palace game... etc.

I'd be starting a strongish team for this.

Bayindir (needs games)

Dalot
Maguire
Evans
Amass

Casemiro
Ugarte

Antony
Zirkzee
Garnacho

Rashford

Games for Ugarte and Casemiro to get minutes into them. Eriksen can come on second half perhaps. Keep Rashford and Zirkzee in there to see if they can get into the goals.

People expecting 10 or 11 changes will be surprised. ETH just doesn't rotate that heavily practically ever. At most I think we might see 3/4 changes.

Don't think it would do Zirkzee or Rashford any harm to get 65/70 mins and hopefully a goal each. Both need it.

Ugarte to get an hour seems likely. A nice match to have as your first start for the club.

Don't want Antony anywhere near the starting team
myself. At the very most give him 15/20 mins off the
bench. He's had more than enough chances and simply isn't good enough.

We might possibly see Kone.

Line up on Wednesday after all of this:

Onana
Dalot De Ligt Maguire Martinez
Eriksen Mainoo
Garnacho Bruno Rashford
Zirkzee

Be interesting to hear updates on Mazraoui and Martinez. De Ligt was just cramp as he confirmed so should be okay.

Mazraoui looked hamstring related and I have seen a few comments saying Martinez might have an issue with his back. Not seen it confirmed though.

comment by Tyranny of the majority (SE85) (U21241)
posted 9 minutes ago
Be interesting to hear updates on Mazraoui and Martinez. De Ligt was just cramp as he confirmed so should be okay.

Mazraoui looked hamstring related and I have seen a few comments saying Martinez might have an issue with his back. Not seen it confirmed though.
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We really can't afford to lose either.

https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/manchester-united-double-injury-boost-29946462

"They are all available. They are good," United manager Erik ten Hag clarified when asked about Mazraoui and De Ligt. "Luke Shaw: he’s progressing but not yet ready to be selected and Ugarte you will see tomorrow what the selection will be for this game.

If this is true then this is good news.

Good news indeed.

Still think Mazraoui and Martinez need to be wrapped in cotton wool though, given their injury history. Neither should be starting a game like tomorrow.

Shaw - I've given up tbh. Any games he's fit for is a bonus but we've got to plan for the season without him really (should've done this in the summer - evidently we didn't).

comment by -bloodred- (U1222)
posted 17 hours, 20 minutes ago
Good news indeed.

Still think Mazraoui and Martinez need to be wrapped in cotton wool though, given their injury history. Neither should be starting a game like tomorrow.

Shaw - I've given up tbh. Any games he's fit for is a bonus but we've got to plan for the season without him really (should've done this in the summer - evidently we didn't).
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Yep. No reason for Martinez to even be in the squad tomorrow imo. Mazraoui will likely have to at least be on the bench but id try to avoid using him either.