Manchester United expected squad vs PAOK as Ruud van Nistelrooy relieved of squad issue

Ruud van Nistelrooy may be relieved of a potential squad issue as Manchester United prepare to face PAOK in the Europa League on Thursday evening.

Manchester United are aiming for their first Europa League win of the 2024/25 season as Ruud van Nistelrooy‘s side gear up to take on Greek club PAOK this Thursday evening.

United have struggled to gain momentum in the competition so far, with a 1-1 with FC Twente, a thrilling 3-3 with FC Porto, and another 1-1 with Fenerbahce.

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They currently sit 21st in the standings, trailing the top eight by four points – a crucial gap to close if they want to secure automatic qualification for the knockout stages.

Despite scoring five goals across their three matches, defensive lapses have cost United dearly, with leads slipping away in every game. This has raised serious concerns about the team’s structure and consistency.

However, with the toughest fixtures behind them, United now have the opportunity to turn things around. If they can tighten up at the back, there’s still plenty of time to climb the table and push for a place in the knockout rounds.

Van Nistelrooy handed squad issue boost

Over the last week, United have struggled with midfield numbers as Bruno Fernandes, Casemiro, and Manuel Ugarte became the club’s only available senior players in the department.

Christian Eriksen recently joined Mason Mount, Kobbie Mainoo, Toby Collyer, and Dan Gore on the treatment bench. Still, the Dutch interim manager explained that he hopes to have midfielders back this week to lighten the squad issue persisting in midfield.

If anyone will return this week, it will most likely be Eriksen, as Mainoo and Collyer are both out for the next few weeks.

Reports on Monday afternoon revealed that Mount is back in training and is progressing on his return from injury, although it is currently unclear if he is ready for selection.

Beyond this, as the club suffered no further injuries against Chelsea, the senior players involved on Sunday are expected to remain so for Thursday.

Ruud van Nistelrooy included four teenagers in his squad that faced Chelsea. With the two extra spaces on the bench that UEFA rules allow, further Academy players could gain vital matchday experience, such as Habeeb Ogunneye, who was included in the squad that faced Fenerbahce.

Man United expected squad

Goalkeepers: André Onana, Altay Bayındır.
Defenders: Diogo Dalot, Noussair Mazraoui, Victor Lindelöf, Jonny Evans, Matthijs de Ligt, Lisandro Martínez, Harry Amass, Habeeb Ogunneye.
Midfielders: Casemiro, Manuel Ugarte, Bruno Fernandes, Christian Eriksen, Jack Fletcher, Jayce Fitzgerald.
Forwards: Rasmus Højlund, Joshua Zirkzee, Marcus Rashford, Amad Diallo, Alejandro Garnacho, Ethan Wheatley.

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