Three Manchester United stars could benefit from Rúben Amorim’s four injury updates following the club’s 2-2 draw against Tottenham Hotspur.
Manchester United have been unbeaten in their last five Premier League fixtures, winning three and drawing two, and have lost just one of their last seven.
Their most recent fixture, a 2-2 draw against Tottenham, saw United pick up a point against a side who defeated them four times last season, although Rúben Amorim would have left North London with a few injuries to worry about.
After starting the game, both Harry Maguire and Casemiro had to head off in the 72nd minute, with the former suffering from a hamstring problem. At the same time, the latter was involved in a heavy collision and requested to be substituted.
Then, with four minutes of regulation time left, Benjamin Šeško had to be taken off just over 30 minutes after he joined the action with a possible knee problem, which Amorim later admitted had him worried.
While Šeško awaits the results of a scan he is set to undergo on Sunday afternoon, there are four United stars waiting in the wings who could benefit from the potential latest injury updates.
Kobbie Mainoo
Kobbie Mainoo is yet to start a Premier League fixture for United this season after being usurped by Casemiro in United’s starting team. However, the recent possible injury problems give him a chance to finally make an impact from the start.
Casemiro’s injury may not be too serious, and Mainoo himself missed the Tottenham game due to injury. Still, there may be a scenario across the next six weeks where Bruno Fernandes moves out of the midfield two to cover for the front line, which would leave Mainoo space to start in the midfield two.
At the same time, if Šeško’s injury does keep him out beyond the international break, Matheus Cunha could start in a central role, meaning there would be possible space for Mainoo to start on the left of the front three.
Joshua Zirkzee
Joshua Zirkzee has played just 90 minutes of football this season and is yet to start a single game, having only made four appearances all season.
However, as above, if Šeško’s injury causes him to miss a few of the fixtures once the international break ceases, the Dutchman could find himself playing up front instead.
Before Šeško joined, there was talk that a front three of Cunha, Zirkzee, and Bryan Mbeumo could work well, as the 24-year-old enjoys dropping deep and playing off players. With Zirkzee wanting game-time ahead of the World Cup, he could be about to benefit from the Tottenham draw.
Lisandro Martínez
With Maguire likely out for at least a few weeks if his hamstring injury proves to be anything of significance, this is undoubtedly the perfect time for Lisandro Martínez to finally return to the matchday squad after his ACL injury in February.
Maguire has primarily played in the middle of the back three when starting, but if the Englishman is out, then Matthijs de Ligt is set to take that role.
With neither Diogo Dalot nor Patrick Chinazaekpere Dorgu impressing at left wing-back, Luke Shaw could then move to the left flank, vacating the space for Martínez.
However, there is also the chance that Martínez could be trialled in the middle, too. Amorim likes to see his midfield defender push into midfield, and considering the Argentine’s fantastic abilities on the ball and Maguire’s injury, there may be an opportunity for him to play there instead.
Ayden Heaven
Ayden Heaven joined in janaury this year from Arsenal, and in the second half o flast seaon, but much like Zirkzee and Mainoo, a lack of midweek fixtures for the Reds has meant his game-time has been almost non-existant.
Read More: Manchester United dealt four injury updates after Tottenham draw as medical tests booked
Much like Martínez, the 19-year-old could be given a chance across the next few weeks as the fixture list ramps up, especially if Amorim chooses to play Shaw as a left wing-back and not to start Martínez twice a week across December.
If Maguire is injured, this gives Heaven the chance to be added to the first-team squad, and the forgotten gem could finally be unleashed once again in the back line, either on the left of the back three or through the middle.
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