Bruno Fernandes has been passed fit to play for Manchester United against Tottenham in a major injury boost for Erik ten Hag.
Fernandes had been pictured with crutches and a protective boot earlier in the week after being substituted during the FA Cup semi-final win over Brighton. The match at Wembley with his 50th of the season and there were concerns he may be set for a spell on the sidelines.
But Ten Hag has allayed any worries over the Portuguese midfielder by naming him in his starting XI to face Spurs on Thursday night. He captains the side and will play alongside Christian Eriksen and Casemiro in midfield.
Luke Shaw will once again partner Victor Lindelof in central defence, with Harry Maguire unavailable following an injury in training. That means Diogo Dalot continues at left-back, with Aaron Wan-Bissaka starting on the right.
Marcus Rashford leads the line, with Antony and Jadon Sancho on the wings.
Ten Hag had previously been unsure whether Fernandes would be fit enough to start. “There are some players who are unavailable,” he said. “Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane. We have to see how Bruno Fernandes is, because we don't know yet. It's a question mark. But I think, for the rest, we are quite okay.”
Worries over Fernandes fitness were sparked by a picture posted on Instagram by his wife Ana Pinho. The snap, captioned "recharging", showed Fernandes lying on the sofa with a mug in his hand and his right foot raised up on pillows. In the foreground lies the case of a protective boot and crutches.
Addressing the picture of Fernandes wearing the protective boot, Ten Hag said: “It's more often that with players, we protect them. It's prevention, but it has to settle down.
“We have seen he played a full game and it happened in the first-half. But tomorrow is a quick turnaround, so we have to see what is possible.”
