Manchester United XI vs Porto: Rasmus Højlund returns as multiple changes expected

Erik ten Hag is expected to make three changes as Manchester United prepare to take on FC Porto in their second Europa League fixture of the season.

Manchester United are shifting their focus to the Europa League after a difficult period in the Premier League.

The team currently sit 13th in the table, only six points clear of the relegation zone and eight points behind the leaders. Losses to Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool, and Brighton have only deepened the club’s struggles.

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The recent defeat to Tottenham has intensified the scrutiny on Erik ten Hag, and the upcoming matches against FC Porto and Aston Villa will be key in determining his future at the helm.

After a frustrating draw with FC Twente last week, United are now in a must-win situation in Portugal to keep their Europa League campaign on track.

André Onana will continue his place in goal, having started every fixture since he arrived at the club in 2023, bar two in domestic cup competitions, while Ten Hag does not have much ability to change the back four.

Noussair Mazraoui and Diogo Dalot should continue as right back and left back, respectively, while Lisandro Martinez and Matthijs de Ligt will likely keep their spots as centre-backs.

Although defensive pair Jonny Evans and Victor Lindelöf also travelled, the former is just an extra option while the latter has no match fitness, so it will not be played from the start.

There is a solid chance that Kobbie Mainoo will be dropped in midfield. Although the 19-year-old flew with the squad to Portugal, he was substituted at half-time against Tottenham with a hamstring issue on the weekend, and Ten Hag may choose to rest the player.

Christian Eriksen has been in fine form so far this season, and the tie against Porto could be a perfect fixture for him to slot alongside Manuel Ugarte as the Uruguayan continues to build match fitness for his new club.

Although Bruno Fernandes has been criticised for his recent performances, there is no indication that Ten Hag will drop his captain.

Although many would think Fernandes is familiar with Porto, he only played them three times out of a possible eight during his stint at Sporting.

Following the loss to Spurs, a few changes are expected in attack. While Marcus Rashford will likely keep his place against Porto, Amad Diallo is expected to return to the XI over Alejandro Garnacho. Amad has been United’s most consistent player since the start of the season.

At striker, Joshua Zirkzee has started five of United’s last six fixtures, but Rasmus Højlund may return up front to continue to gain vital minutes following his return from injury.

United play two fixtures a week almost every week until the end of December, with the exception of international breaks, so Ten Hag will need to rotate as much as he can to ensure his players stay fresh.

Man United expected XI

Onana, Mazraoui, De Ligt, Martínez, Dalot, Ugarte, Eriksen, Fernandes, Amad, Højlund, Rashford.

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