Casemiro is halfway through what seems like the longest suspension in history. Martial is missing AGAIN. Eriksen is out for the season. McTominay has disappeared. Antony is out with an indeterminate leg injury, and Dalot is not looking fit. Despite all this, the games roll on for United. Here’s the best team we think United could start on Sunday away at Leeds.
As ever, De Gea, Martinez and Varane start. Unless there is a case for managing his injuries, Varane has to play. Shaw is the best left-back. He should start. Dalot looked like he was coming off a long layoff on Wednesday. If Wan-Bissaka is fit, he deserves to play.
Ten Hag will be sorely tempted to add someone like Lindelof or even Martinez to midfield, given the disaster Fred was on Wednesday, but it will probably be the same three of Sabitzer, Fred, and Fernandes.
Upfront, the Weghorst experiment looks to be over. He’s been ineffectual for two games in a row. Maybe through tiredness, maybe through lack of quality. In any case, Rashford must lead the line. We’ve gone for Sancho on the left and Pellistri on the right, but Garnacho, Rashford, and Sancho could also work.
Whatever the team, hopefully United will have learned their lesson and not conspire to give cheap goals away early.
Prediction: 1-2
United to keep it tight while scoring a goal each half. Leeds scoring a late consolation as they are driven forward by the home crowd.