Man United predicted line-up vs. Tottenham: Four changes made as £74m forward returns

Manchester United will look to put a disappointing pair of draws against Crystal Palace and FC Twente behind them on Sunday when they welcome Tottenham Hotspur to Old Trafford – and they could be boosted by the return of at least one key player to the starting line-up.

Rasmus Højlund and Mason Mount both came on as substitutes towards the end of Wednesday’s Europa League league stages match and could be ready to play a larger role against Spurs, but four players are still expected to be unavailable as Erik ten Hag’s troops face off against another team who have struggled to put consistent performances together in the early Premier League season.

We’ve got all of the latest Manchester United team news, injury updates and a predicted line-up below ahead of a match which could ease the pressure of Ten Hag significantly if the home side can win – or pile it on should they lose.

Goalkeeper & Defence

The bulk of Manchester United’s injury concerns are in defence and at least three players will miss out this weekend – Leny Yoro (metatarsal), Luke Shaw (calf) and Tyrell Malacia (ACL) are all out. Yoro is expected back in November, while it is hoped that Shaw will be back to action around the next international break.

Malacia is back in training at Carrington after the missing the entirety of last season but isn’t expected to be back on the bench until October at the earliest, with the club keen to ease him back towards full fitness following complications with his recovery earlier in the year.

There is also doubt over the availability of Swedish centre-back Victor Lindelöf (toe) – the 30-year-old hasn’t featured this season after sustaining an injury prior to the last international break but was spotted back in training ahead of the Twente game. Ten Hag may well provide a further update during his pre-match press conference, but it looks as though Lindelöf could be ready if required.

Midfield

£55m signing Mount is believed to be back to full fitness after missing time earlier this season due to a hamstring problem. He was left on the bench for the 0-0 draw against Palace but was able to play for the last 15 minutes or so against Twente. He is unlikely to be back in the starting line-up with Bruno Fernandes expected to be preferred, but is available if Ten Hag wants to rotate his squad.

Manuel Ugarte played his first full match for his new club in the 1-1 draw on Wednesday and could well be preferred to Christian Eriksen or Casemiro alongside Kobbie Mainoo, depending on his fitness after completing 90 minutes.

Forwards

The return to full fitness of Danish striker Højlund, who came on for the end of the game against Twente alongside Mount, could be very timely, with summer signing Joshua Zirkzee struggling in front of goal in recent games and missing several presentable chances. With the 21-year-old back, he could be handed his first start of the season, while it is unclear whether Alejandro Garnacho will play on the left ahead of Marcus Rashford once more. Rashford and Amad Diallo started on the flanks in midweek.

Onana; Dalot, De Ligt, Martínez, Mazraoui; Ugarte, Mainoo, Fernandes; Garnacho, Rashford, Højlund.