Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag may believe that the upcoming Carabao Cup third-round match against Crystal Palace provides the ideal opportunity to rotate his squad. The match on Tuesday is the first of two against Roy Hodgson’s team, with the second of two Old Trafford encounters coming a few days later in the Premier League.
But, in the midst of an injury crisis that has sidelined several of Ten Hag’s top players, he will be desperate to prevent any further fitness concerns. And he might rest some of United’s finest players and give them a whole week off after the Red Devils avoided loss for the first time in nearly a month with a 1-0 triumph away to Burnley.
Altay Bayindir, who joined the club from Fenerbahce last summer to replace the departing Dean Henderson, might make his debut in goal. He was highly rated coming out of Turkey, and Tuesday’s cup game should provide him with an opportunity to put some pressure on Andre Onana after a shaky start to his United career.
Despite his great performance against Burnley, it remains to be seen whether Jonny Evans, at the age of 35, can play two games in such a short period of time. Raphael Varane could continue his comeback with Victor Lindelof, although Lisandro Martinez’s return date remains unknown as Ten Hag stated that the Argentinian, along with Harry Maguire, missed the trip to Burnley due to injury.
Casemiro might be given a rare rest in midfield, with Ten Hag presumably eager to keep him fit. Christian Eriksen might be selected to control possession in a game where the hosts are anticipated to dominate possession.
Hannibal Mejbri impressed and he or Scott McTominay could remain in the team, but one of the midfielders may be dropped in order for Facundo Pellistri to get another chance in a home game – giving the ever-present Bruno Fernandes the opportunity to return to a central position.
Alejandro Garnacho has been overlooked in recent weeks, but now has the opportunity to show off his enormous skill, while Ten Hag can remove talisman Marcus Rashford out of the lineup and give him a full week to prepare for the upcoming league match against Palace.
Ten Hag may want to make sure Rasmus Hojlund does not suffer a recurrence of the injury that forced him to miss his debut for the club. Anthony Martial might make a rare start as he is likely in the final opportunity saloon to challenge Hojlund at Old Trafford as his contract expires in the summer.
Starting XI vs Burnley: Onana; Dalot, Lindelof, Evans, Reguilon; Casemiro, McTominay; Fernandes, Hannibal, Rashford; Hojlund.
Potential starting XI vs Palace: Bayindir; Dalot, Varane, Lindelof, Reguilon; Eriksen, McTominay; Pellistri, Fernandes, Garnacho; Martial.