Manchester United can book their place in the final on Sunday with a win against Coventry City, here’s our predicted line-up.
For Erik ten Hag it’s do-or-die time at Manchester United with the next few weeks set to decide his future at the club.
The prospect of Champions League football looks long gone now, with a battle for sixth looking likely.
To make matters worse, there’s no sign of the bloated injury list easing.
| Injury type | Projected return | |
| Willy Kambwala | Unknown | Unknown |
| Bruno Fernandes | Hand | v Palace |
| Scott McTominay | Knee strain | v Palace |
| Marcus Rashford | Ankle | May |
| Raphael Varane | Muscular injury | May |
| Jonny Evans | Ongoing issue | v Palace |
| Victor Lindelof | Hamstring injury | May |
| Lisandro Martinez | Calf injury | May |
| Luke Shaw | Thigh injury | May |
| Harry Maguire | Muscle injury | Late May |
| Anthony Martial | Groin injury | May |
| Tyrell Malacia | Knee injury | Unknown |
This makes naming a predicted line-up a tricky task, with options limited.
But ahead of arguably the most important game of the campaign so far, we’ve given it a shot.
Here’s our predicted line-up…
Predicted Manchester United line-up vs Coventry
So considering the gravity of this game and how much potentially hangs on it, we can’t see Ten Hag taking risks in his team selection here.
So as we’d expect, it’s probable that Andre Onana will start the game as he so often has this season. He’s been excellent in recent months and deserves far better than his defenders are currently giving him.
In the full-back positions, there is not much choice for Ten Hag with Diogo Dalot and Aaron Wan-Bissaka the only players fit in the position. So Dalot goes on the right with Wan-Bissaka on the left.
Central defence is another injury-plagued position but it sounds like Harry Maguire will be fit to play, despite concerns. Next to him will be Casemiro, as Fabrizio Romano confirmed that Willy Kambwala will miss out through injury.
Midfield will see something new, with Casemiro dropping back which means Mason Mount could enter alongside Kobbie Mainoo, as Scott McTominay is only returning from injury.
Alejandro Garnacho should probably be given a rest, although Ten Hag is unlikely to drop him for such a pivotal game. He’ll be joined on the wings by Marcus Rashford who will be keen to remind fans that he’s the king of this club.
That being said, Amad Diallo should absolutely be starting this game and deserves the minutes, although it might be that he gets this chance next Wednesday instead.
Bruno Fernandes will almost certainly start as he’d not stand for being dropped in such an important game. Off the back of a brace against Bournemouth, his side needs him to be once again on top form here.
Upfront, we expect to see Rasmus Hojlund as he continues the quest for another goal to end his now-growing goalless streak.
