Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has said that new signings Patrick Dorgu and Ayden Heaven are “ready to play” against Leicester City in tonight’s FA Cup fourth round tie.
Dorgu in particular should be match fit, having played 23 games for Lecce this season.18 year old Heaven has also played 15 games but only one, his Arsenal debut in the Carabao Cup, at senior level.
Defensive reshuffle required
With Lisandro Martinez being ruled out for the rest of the season with an ACL injury, Amorim will have to reshuffle his defence anyway, so we expect Dorgu to come straight in as left wing back.
This could allow Noussair Mazraoui to fill in for Martinez in the back three, with Diogo Dalot switching to right wing back.
Harry Maguire and Matthijs de Ligt would be the other members of the back line.
Leny Yoro is also an option but with the luxury of a nine-day gap before the next game, we see no reason why the boss wouldn’t field his strongest XI. In that regard, Yoro is still a work in progress, albeit an exceptional one.
Heaven is a left-footed centre back so whilst he is young and inexperienced, Amorim might want to look at how he does off the bench.
The dream scenario would be that United build a convincing lead and then bring on both Yoro and Heaven for the last 30 minutes.
Victor Lindelof is available and could also fill in for Martinez, but he is not match fit and it would seem unlikely that he is re-introduced at this stage as the last weeks of his contract run down.
Tyrell Malacia has been loaned to PSV Eindhoven, while Luke Shaw and Jonny Evans are still unavailable.
Plenty of midfield options, but little choice up front
Manu Ugarte and Bruno Fernandes will probably continue in central midfield.
Christian Eriksen, Toby Collyer and Casemiro are other options.
The experiment of playing Kobbie Mainoo as a false nine didn’t work against Crystal Palace and so either Rasmus Hojlund or Josh Zirkzee should be reinstated in the centre forward position. We think the Dutchman is probably the slightly better option right now.
Amad and Alejandro Garnacho would provide support in the other forward roles.
Following the loan departures of Marcus Rashford and Antony and given the continuing absence of Mason Mount, those four stars are the only real options up front unless the false nine experiment is continued, or a youngster is promoted.
In that sense, one possible surprise could be the inclusion of 17-year-old Chido Obi on the bench. The academy star has been sensational at both Under 18 and Under 21 level and this might be an opportunity for Amorim to throw him into the first team and see how he gets on.
Gabriele Biancheri is another exciting forward option who might grab himself a spot on the bench. He is a year older than Obi, but the Dane is perhaps physically bigger and stronger.
With Altay Bayindir expected to be selected in goal, as he has been for most cup matches this season, here is our predicted XI for tonight’s 8pm kick off:
Featured image Carl Recine via Getty Images
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