Manchester United XI vs Porto: Confirmed team news, predicted lineup, injury latest for Europa League today

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·3. Oktober 2024

Manchester United XI vs Porto: Confirmed team news, predicted lineup, injury latest for Europa League today

Erik ten Hag handed key midfield boost for a crucial clash with the Portuguese giants

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Erik ten Hag will be desperate for a win as Manchester United head to face Porto in the Europa League tonight.

The Dutchman’s Old Trafford position has once again been subject to severe scrutiny after a disappointing start to his third season at the helm was compounded by back-to-back miserable 3-0 home Premier League losses at the hands of Liverpool and Tottenham.

With another tough trip to high-flying Aston Villa coming up in the top-flight this weekend before an international break, Ten Hag could really use a victory against Porto to calm some of the intense mounting pressure - though he is believed to retain the support of United’s hierarchy as things stand.

Kobbie Mainoo has shaken off an injury scare to make the trip to Portugal but Mason Mount misses out after picking up a head injury against Tottenham, meaning Ten Hag has a decision to make in midfield with Casemiro and summer signing Manuel Ugarte both struggling in the opening weeks of the season.

Injury scare: Kobbie Mainoo is fit for Manchester United after being forced off against Tottenham

Action Images via Reuters

The challenge of Porto is unlikely to prove a reprieve for either, and Christian Eriksen may be turned to as an alternative option in the middle after starting in the opening home draw with FC Twente.

Captain Bruno Fernandes will start again, with his ban for a red card against Tottenham restricted to English competitions and now overturned on appeal anyway, and Amad Diallo could get the nod over Alejandro Garnacho or Marcus Rashford in attack, with neither turning heads against Spurs.

Joshua Zirkzee will likely start up front again but Rasmus Hojlund is back in contention after injury. Harry Maguire is also back after a knock that ruled him out against Spurs, where Victor Lindelof was back in the squad, but fellow defenders Leny Yoro, Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia are all still unavailable alongside Mount.

Predicted Manchester United XI (4-2-3-1): Onana; Mazraoui, De Ligt, Martinez, Dalot; Mainoo, Ugarte; Amad, Fernandes, Garnacho; Zirkzee

Injured: Mount, Yoro, Shaw, Malacia

Time and date: 8pm BST on Thursday October 3, 2024

Venue: Estadio do Dragao

TV channel: TNT Sports