Manchester United could be without Bruno Fernandes, Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane for Tottenham clash
Manchester United will be without star centre-backs Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane for the Tottenham Hotspur encounter later today (27 April).
Erik ten Hag has also claimed that Bruno Fernandes could miss the game. Both Varane and Martinez are sidelined with lengthy foot injuries.
It was more or less obvious that the two will sit this one out. They both injured themselves in the 2-2 UEFA Europa League quarterfinal draw against Sevilla and haven’t recovered since.
Fernandes could be a touch-and-go. Ten Hag said at his pre-match press conference, via the club’s official website:
“There are some unavailable. [Lisandro] Martinez, [Raphael] Varane. We have to see how Bruno Fernandes is. We don’t know yet, he is a question mark. I think for the rest, we are quite okay.”
What to make of it?
This is a golden chance for us to target Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof. They have both not seen regular playing time when Varane and Martinez were fit and could be shaky in such a big game. Maguire in particular has been error-prone, as witnessed in the second leg against Sevilla.
There is every chance Luke Shaw plays as a make-shit centre-back which could allow us to target him, considering he isn’t a natural player in that position. Fernandes can be selfish and wasteful at times in the final third.
But at the end of the day, he is a consistent goal and assist-getter for the Red Devils. Not having him available for the game against us means Manchester United lack their de facto captain and arguably their chief creator in midfield.
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This game is vitally important for us if we still harbour dreams of finishing in the top four and making the UEFA Champions League next season. Nothing less than a win here will do at home. This will also be Ryan Mason’s first game in charge as interim boss after Cristian Stellini’s sacking.
