Manchester United’s squad has been severely stretched in recent weeks as they prepare for Sunday’s FA Cup clash against Brighton & Hove Albion at Old Trafford
Man United interim boss Darren Fletcher could be faced with a double blow if he stays in charge for the Manchester derby(Image: Visionhaus/Getty Images)
Manchester United are facing a double blow ahead of the Manchester derby on Saturday, January 17. Amad and Noussair Mazraoui are the only two Reds stars currently away at the Africa Cup of Nations after Bryan Mbeumo’s Cameroon lost to Mazraoui’s Morocco on Friday night.
Amad will be in action for the Ivory Coast against Egypt on Saturday night. If the Ivorians win, they will progress to a semi-final against Senegal on January 14, just three days before the Manchester derby, putting Amad’s participation in that match against Manchester City in doubt.
A further blow would see City’s Omar Marmoush return as the Egyptians would then have been eliminated. Amad’s absence in particular during the past few weeks has been a major problem for the Reds.
The 23-year-old’s guile and creativity has been sorely missed for a team that have drawn their previous three matches. That may now change with the return of Bruno Fernandes from injury and Mbeumo’s arrival back from Afcon – which should see him return to the squad against City next weekend.
Injuries and Afcon enforced-absentees mean that United’s squad is still being stretched ahead of Sunday’s FA Cup third round clash against Brighton & Hove Albion at Old Trafford.
Noussair Mazraoui is challenged by Bryan Mbeumo(Image: AP Photo/Mosa’ab Elshamy)
However, centre-back Harry Maguire, who was back on the bench in midweek against Burnley, could make his first appearance since early November.
“He’s been out for a while so we will be looking at his load and things like that,” interim boss Darren Fletcher said in his pre-match press conference.
“A decision has not been made [on his minutes] but when you see the players coming back the other night, you have seen Mason [Mount], Kobbie [Mainoo], Bruno [Fernandes], there has to be some understanding with their first minutes may have to be careful with that process to build back in. So I think Harry will be in that situation for the weekend.”
On Mainoo, who has only started one game this season and was linked with a move away before Amorim’s sacking, Fletcher added: “He seems in a good place.
“Kobbie doesn’t give you much so you wouldn’t know if he was in a good place or not.
“He’s like that, it’s just his natural way, I know him well and I have known him for a long time, I’ve seen him around the building and had conversations with him.
“He’s in a good place, but I know Kobbie and he knows me and (assistant) Travis Binnion and he’s comfortable with this environment.
“He is in a good place, he’s trained well and as I say he is hard to read, so that remains to be seen.”
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