New Delhi: Manchester United, fresh off their morale-boosting 4-0 win over Everton, are set to travel to Arsenal for the midweek clash against their long term rivals. The game is expected to be the first real test for new United manager Ruben Amorim as he faces an Arsenal side that are much more settled and are sitting pretty in the second spot in the Premier League table. However, the manager will be without two key players for this upcoming trip.
Midfielder Kobbie Mainoo and defender Lisandro Martinez have both been ruled out for the Arsenal clash as they are both suspended the game. Both players were walking the tightrope when Everton visited Old Trafford as they had picked up four bookings each and picked up a yellow card each against the Toffees. Mainoo was booked for a challenge on former Burnley man, Dwight McNeil whereas Martinez received his booking for pulling on Everton striker Beto’s shirt.
Following their bookings against the Toffees, both players are now on five yellow cards before the halfway point of the season, which results in a one match suspension according to the Premier League’s rules. Their absence comes at a bad time for Amorim, who is still settling into his role as Manchester United head coach and would’ve wanted his first team squad available for such an important clash.
Who can replace Kobbie Mainoo and Lisandro Martinez in the squad?
🚨⛔️ Lisandro Martinez and Kobbie Mainoo will be suspended for the game against Arsenal. pic.twitter.com/rJcBhUAzSt
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) December 1, 2024
Manchester United have the option of using either of Harry Maguire or Johnny Evans in the starting lineup. However, Martinez occupies the left of the three center back spots in the team and both Maguire and Evans are right footed. One way Amorim can deal with it is shifting Noussair Mazraoui to the left side considering he can play on both flanks and have Maguire or Evans play on the right side.
Another option that Amorim has if he doesn’t want to change Mazraoui’s position is slotting in Luke Shaw, if he’s fit enough, in the first team as the left-sided center back. It’s a role that he has played for England before and he could come in handy in such a huge game against Arsenal. This might be a huge risk for Amorim, handing Shaw his first start in such a crucial game but that’s not something the England international hasn’t done before.
There are a lot more straightforward options available for the club when it comes to dealing with Mainoo’s suspension. Mason Mount, who has recently returned from injury, can work out as a straight swap for Mainoo as he offers more of a similarity to the 19-year-old and also offers some attacking flair. The other option can be going for a conservative and defensive option in pairing Casemiro with Manuel Ugarte, someone who Ruben Amorim knows well from their time together at Sporting CP.
Manchester United, fresh off their uplifting win over Everton, are set to travel to Arsenal for the midweek clash against their rivals. Dive in to find out which players won’t be part of the huge game! Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
