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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Richard Fay

Manchester United could make wildcard selection as Jadon Sancho pushes to start vs Leeds

Injury worries continue

Manchester United's injury worries are set to continue when they face Leeds, with a host of senior stars still missing for the trip to Elland Road.

Anthony Martial, Antony and Scott McTominay have all been ruled out of the match and are all doubts for the Europa League first leg against Barcelona next week as well.

There is a potential boost given Aaron Wan-Bissaka could return from illness after he missed the midweek draw with Leeds but Casemiro is still suspended, Christian Eriksen is sidelined until late April with an ankle injury and Donny van de Beek is out for the remainder of the campaign with a knee injury.

Read next: United suffer triple injury blow ahead of Leeds and Barcelona fixtures

A wildcard selection

It seems certain that Ten Hag will make changes for the clash given how poorly his side started in midweek, but those options are limited given the aforementioned injury worries. In particular, there is a midfield dilemma to solve given that there are no experienced senior midfielders to come into the side at this moment in time.

Fred would be fortunate to keep his place after a poor midweek performance, and it could lead to a wildcard selection being made as they go in search of increased defensive stability.

The blueprint was sent when Victor Lindelof was introduced in midfield during the week, but he looked cumbersome in his short time on the pitch.

That doesn't mean he won't be given the chance again, but perhaps a more sensible option would be to relocate Lisandro Martinez to the base of the midfield given his brilliant passing ability, with either Lindelof, Luke Shaw or Harry Maguire filling in at centre-back instead.

Rashford's role

Marcus Rashford is certain to start today, but the role he will occupy is less clear. The England international has been United's star performer this season and he has been used in every position across the front line, such is his versatility and confidence at the moment.

Rashford struggled on the right in midweek, scored when he played through the middle but has been at his best when on the left this campaign.

It means that Ten Hag has a lot of options to play with in attack this weekend, though it is crucial that Rashford's own needs are catered for if they are to have the best possible chance of winning the match.

Even with Antony out, there is no excuse to repurpose him on the right again, and given the striker shortage it might be best to move him into the middle instead. He has scored two goals in his last three Premier League away games, having netted just once in his previous 18 on the road.

Sancho to start

Ten Hag has been mindful with his management of Jadon Sancho and this weekend could see the next stage of his reintegration to the team with a start.

The 22-year-old was arguably the best player on the pitch with his impressive cameo in midweek, and he will no doubt be itching to get a full game under his belt this time.

Ten Hag might still be cautious about throwing Sancho back in from the start, and no matter what he does, he has already proven that he knows best when it comes to the handling of the forward.

Sancho still has a long way to go back to his best, and he can't be rushed.

We meet again

It will be a bit of a peculiar occasion as United and Leeds face each other again just four days after they last met in the same competition.

This is the first time Leeds have faced the same opponent in consecutive top-flight fixtures in the same season since April 1974 against Sheffield United, and the first time for United since recording back-to-back wins over Wolves in December 1967.

It'll be the first time United and Leeds have met in consecutive league fixtures since April 1947.

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