Manchester United expected XI as Erik ten Hag makes three sacrifices vs Brighton

Erik ten Hag is expected to make multiple sacrifices as Manchester United take on Brighton on the final day of the Premier League season.

Manchester United are racing to the FA Cup final next weekend as Erik ten Hag‘s men try to end a poor season on a high note against Manchester City at Wembley Stadium.

However, before they can kick off at Wembley Stadium, they will be heading to Brighton to take on the Seagulls during the final day of the Premier League season.

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With the FA Cup final no doubt in the back of Ten Hag’s mind, changes in the XI to face Brighton are expected, although André Onana will remain in goal, as he has done for every Premier League game this season.

In defence, one change is expected. While Diogo Dalot and Aaron Wan-Bissaka will continue their rather make-shift roles as fullbacks, Lisandro Martínez is expected to return to the XI for the first time since February, where he will partner with Jonny Evans.

He would replace Casemiro in the back line. He is expected to drop to the bench for two reasons: his poor performances at centre-back and Sofyan Amrabat’s good form in midfield against Arsenal and Newcastle United.

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That being said, Martínez would not be expected to play the full 90 minutes, with some minutes expected to be given to Raphaël Varane too.

Although Casemiro is expected to start in the final, Ten Hag would be wise to rest the Brazilian after his poor defensive performances. Kobbie Mainoo and Bruno Fernandes will almost certainly partner Amrabat in midfield.

With Casemiro on the bench, Alejandro Garnacho is expected to join him and not start a United game for the first time this calendar year.

Garnacho has started every fixture for the club since the beginning of November and looks in need of rest despite his importance to Ten Hag and the attacking line.

Should this be the case, it is likely that Marcus Rashford would be given a shot back in the XI since his return from injury against Newcastle. Rasmus Højlund is expected to return to the team following his goal on Wednesday evening.

Finally, Amad Diallo has cemented himself as one of the club’s recent undroppable players following his brilliant displays against Arsenal and Newcastle, with a goal to show for it at Old Trafford the other day.

Man United expected XI

Onana, Wan-Bissaka, Martínez, Evans, Dalot, Amrabt, Mainoo, Fernandes, Amad, Højlund, Rashford.