Manchester United XI vs Arsenal: Confirmed team news, predicted lineup and injury latest for Premier League | OneFootball

Positive injury news for Ruben Amorim counteracted by double suspension blow

Manchester United will have Bruno Fernandes fit for Wednesday’s Premier League clash with Arsenal, while Leny Yoro looks set to make the matchday squad for the first time.

However, head coach Ruben Amorim has now dismissed any injury fears over his fellow Portuguese, telling reporters on Monday: “He is fit to play, I see him already in this morning. He is fit to a play, a guy that doesn't need a lot of rest, so he is prepared to play."

Fernandes’s availability is good news for United as their early resurgence under new management is put to a serious test at the Emirates Stadium by old rivals Arsenal, who have bounced back themselves since the November international break with three successive wins across all competitions in which they have amassed 13 goals - including five from all different scorers in back-to-back away games.

Supporters will also be eager to see Yoro in action, with the £52million summer signing from Lille having yet to play a competitive game for his new club after requiring surgery on a foot fracture suffered in a defeat by Arsenal during the pre-season tour of the United States.

The teenage defender has been steadily building up his fitness at Carrington over recent weeks and surely won’t start on Wednesday, though Amorim has confirmed that he will form part of the squad as he expressed excitement over his return.

"Maybe Leny Yoro is going to be in the squad," Amorim said. "I felt that he is in a good moment now, his fitness is better, so I think he's going to be in the squad.

"I think he's a special talent. We have to be careful in this first moment because we didn't have too many trainings together, so he is training not alone but with a small group of players.

"He's really fast, he's a modern defender, and that is good when you want to press high and you leave a lot of strikers, especially in this league, one against one. I think he can manage that. He is very good with the ball, so I am very excited.

"We have to careful, we have to manage the load and the minutes in the beginning, but I am really excited to see Leny Yoro playing."

United will not have either Lisandro Martinez or Kobbie Mainoo available against Arsenal, after both players were cautioned for the fifth time this season against Everton on Sunday, leading to an automatic one-match ban.

Martinez’s absence, Yoro being unlikely to start and the recent knocks sustained by both Victor Lindelof and Jonny Evans should mean that Harry Maguire comes into Amorim’s back three in north London alongside Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui, having returned from his own calf issue at the weekend following almost two months on the sidelines.

Luke Shaw is another potential option having been subbed into a back-three role in all of Amorim’s three matches in charge so far. Mainoo made his first start under the new boss against Everton alongside Casemiro, who has started both league matches under Amorim to date.

Manuel Ugarte could well partner the Brazilian on Wednesday to give United a more robust midfield look, though Amorim also has the likes of Christian Eriksen and Mason Mount available. He also played Fernandes in a deeper role in the Europa League win over Bodo/Glimt last week.

Amad Diallo impressed again on Sunday and should keep his wing-back role along with rumoured Real Madrid transfer target Diogo Dalot, while it would be a surprise to see either Marcus Rashford or Joshua Zirkzee drop out after they each notched a brace against Everton - though Rasmus Hojlund did likewise in the Europa League and offers an alternative striking option if needed.

If Amorim really wanted to make an attacking statement he could always play Fernandes deep and have Rashford and Zirkzee as the dual threat behind Hojlund, but that would be a massively risky approach away from home against such ruthless opponents.

Predicted Manchester United XI: Onana; Mazraoui, De Ligt, Maguire; Amad, Ugarte, Casemiro, Dalot; Fernandes, Rashford; Zirkzee

Injured: Lindelof

Doubt: Evans

Suspended: Martinez, Mainoo

Time and date: 8:15pm GMT on Wednesday December 4, 2024

Venue: Emirates Stadium

How to watch: Amazon Prime Video