1
Manchester United will be without their captain, Bruno Fernandes, for their trip to Istanbul to play Fenerbahce tomorrow.
Fernandes is suspended after being sent off against FC Porto for two dubious high tackle decisions.
The natural replacement for the Portuguese would be Mason Mount, but he is still out of contention and has not travelled.
Mount was absent after picking up a head injury against Spurs, however it later emerged he also picked up a knock.
Ten Hag has a dilemma in Fernandes’ absence. He could change the formation to play a 4-4-2, with Joshua Zirkzee coming in alongside Rasmus Hojlund up front, but the Dutchman’s poor form so far would make that something of a gamble.
We think Christian Eriksen will play a little further forward than normal, somewhere between an 8 and 10, with Manuel Ugarte coming into holding midfield alongside Casemiro, who has been back in full training after picking up a knock against Brentford on Saturday.
Kobbie Mainoo is out injured and both Toby Collyer and Dan Gore have also been absent with knocks.
Against Brentford, Ten Hag reversed the wingers, with Marcus Rashford playing on the right and Alejandro Garnacho on the left. This seemed to work quite well, so he might roll that dice again tomorrow.
Antony and Amad are other options on the flanks.
In defence, Ten Hag has more problems. Jonny Evans has picked up a knock and is not on the plane. Tyrell Malacia is back in full training but not match ready. Luke Shaw and Leny Yoro are both back on the grass but not even in team training yet.
Harry Maguire is also still out, leaving Diogo Dalot, Noussair Mazraoui, Matthijs de Ligt – who has recovered from the head injury sustained against the Bees, Lisandro Martinez and Victor Lindelof as the only fit senior defenders.
Young Harry Amass and Habeeb Ogunneye are included in the squad but we don’t think either of them will start the game unless there are more fitness issues among the five senior men.
The most likely back four is Mazraoui – De Ligt – Martinez – Dalot.
Andre Onana will probably be in goal, although given his knowledge of the Turkish game, Altay Bayindir might just be given a rare 90 minutes.
Ethan Wheatley and Tom Heaton make up the travelling squad but are unlikely to start.
With all that in mind, here is our predicted XI for the game:
Featured image Stu Forster via Getty Images