Manchester United manager Ralf Rangnick is anticipated to make changes to his starting lineup for Saturday’s Premier League match against Watford at Old Trafford.
United drew 1-1 with Atletico Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League round-of-16 tie on Wednesday night, and a third consecutive league win might reopen a four-point lead in fourth place.
Because Edinson Cavani is still out with a groyne injury and Scott McTominay is sidelined with illness, Cristiano Ronaldo could stay up forward. After his impact off the bench against Atletico Madrid, Nemanja Matic might start in midfield.
After making an immediate impact in Madrid, Anthony Elanga is battling for a starting spot, while Diogo Dalot and Aaron Wan-Bissaka are vying for a spot at right-back.
On Friday night, Hannibal Mejbri, a matchday squad member against Atletico, played for the Under-23s against Derby.
“I also have to mention that while all the headlines were logically in [Elangafavor, ]’s I believe it wasn’t only him,” Rangnick said. “We altered the momentum in the second half, we regrouped the whole squad, and it wasn’t only him, but the other players and replacements, especially Nemanja Matic, who contributed to change the game,” he said.
United will not play again for eight days after the Watford match, as they were sent out of the FA Cup by Middlesbrough earlier this month, giving them a full week to prepare for the Manchester derby at the Etihad.
On March 12, United will host Tottenham, and three days later, Atletico will visit Old Trafford for the second leg.
If Liverpool defeat Norwich in the FA Cup fifth round, the match between Liverpool and United, which is presently set for March 20, could be postponed.
David de Gea, Dean Henderson, Tom Heaton, Diogo Dalot, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Raphael Varane, Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof, Phil Jones, Luke Shaw, Alex Telles, Nemanja Matic, Fred, Paul Pogba, Bruno Fernandes, Juan Mata, Jesse Lingard, Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho, Cristiano Ronaldo, Anthony Elanga, Victor Lindelof, Phil Jones, Luke Shaw
