Man Utd predicted line-up vs. Chelsea: three changes made with Mainoo among eight potential absentees

Manchester United head into their match against Chelsea this weekend with a new face in the dugout but the same old injury problems, with eight players either ruled out or doubtful for Sunday’s game at Old Trafford – the first Premier League tie since Erik ten Hag was dismissed.

Interim head coach Ruud van Nistelrooy will take charge for the second time following a comfortable 5-2 victory over Leicester City in the EFL Cup in midweek, a game which suggested that we shouldn’t expect to see major departures from Ten Hag’s system and fundamental style of play under the former striker.

We’ve got the latest team news, injury updates and predicted line-up for Sunday’s match below – and if you’re here for some Fantasy Premier League news, do also check out our resident expert’s latest advice column by clicking here.

Goalkeeper & Defence

The Manchester United defence is once again heavily depleted, with four players liable to miss out. Leny Yoro (metatarsal) and Harry Maguire (muscular) are both expected to be unavailable through injury, although summer signing Yoro has at least been seen back in full training and should be ready to make his competitive debut soon.

Elsewhere, United have kept their cards close to their chest when it comes to the likely returns of Luke Shaw (calf) and Tyrell Malacia (ACL). Both have returned to training and are building up fitness following lengthy lay-offs, but are not expected back in action until later in November. André Onana and Nouassir Mazraoui are expected to be restored to the starting line-up after being benched on Wednesday night, with Van Nistelrooy’s use of substitutions hinting that Diogo Dalot, Lisandro Martínez and Matthijs de Ligt will also play.

Midfield

Although Manchester United have not been forthcoming with updates, it is believed that Kobbie Mainoo (thigh) will be out for at least one more week after the injury he sustained during the 0-0 draw against Aston Villa last month.

It is also expected that Mason Mount will not be available to face his former club after setbacks on his road to recovery from an unspecified injury sustained against Tottenham Hotspur. Young midfielder Toby Collyer may also miss out after he picked up an injury prior to the 2-1 win over Brentford a fortnight ago – the club have not provided any details regarding the issue, but he has not returned to the match day squad since. Manuel Ugarte and Casemiro both played the full 90 minutes against Leicester but will likely be called upon again, with Christian Eriksen on standby in case of any late fitness worries.

Forwards

The only injury issue across the front three concerns Brazilian winger Antony, who was stretchered off against Fenerbahçe last week and has not yet returned to training. The issue isn’t believed to be serious, but no return date has been set and he is not expected to be available this weekend.

Otherwise the only potential change from the midweek line-up is at number nine, with Rasmus Højlund liable to start over the struggling Joshua Zirkzee. Amad Diallo is also pushing for a first league start since September, although Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho are more likely to get the nod this time.

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