Manchester United have suffered a double defensive injury blow ahead of Thursday's Premier League clash against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
The Red Devils announced on Tuesday evening that both Victor Lindelof and Lisandro Martinez "will be out of action for at least a month" with respective hamstring and calf injuries.
Both players join Luke Shaw (muscle), Anthony Martial (groin) and Tyrell Malacia (knee) in the treatment room, and Altay Bayindir (muscle) is doubtful, but Raphael Varane and Jonny Evans are in line to feature after taking part in training this week.
Harry Maguire is also fit, and he is expected to partner either Varane or Evans in central defence, as Diogo Dalot and Aaron Wan-Bissaka continue as full-backs and goalkeeper Andre Onana stands between the sticks.
Man United have been boosted by the return of midfield duo Casemiro and former Chelsea man Mason Mount - the latter came off the substitutes' bench to score in the Red Devils' 1-1 draw at Brentford last weekend - and the duo will be pushing to feature again in some capacity on Thursday.
With Mount set to be gradually eased back into the first team, Casemiro has a greater chance of starting in the middle of the pitch alongside rising star Kobbie Mainoo, although Ten Hag may decide to stick with Scott McTominay, who scored a brace in a 2-1 win over Chelsea in the reverse fixture at Old Trafford in December.
Alejandro Garnacho and Marcus Rashford should once again retain their places on the flanks, with Antony beginning as a substitute along with Amad Diallo – who is available to return from a one-match ban – while ever-present playmaker Bruno Fernandes is set to start in the number 10 role behind central striker Rasmus Hojlund.
Manchester United possible starting lineup: Onana; Dalot, Varane, Maguire, Wan-Bissaka; Mainoo, McTominay; Garnacho, Fernandes, Rashford; Hojlund
> Click here to see how Chelsea could line up for this contest
Oliver Thomas
