Anthony Martial

Early team news for United v Omonia

Tuesday 11 October 2022 16:00

Anthony Martial is a doubt ahead of Manchester United’s Europa League clash with Omonia Nicosia at Old Trafford on Thursday evening.

Martial proved pivotal in the reverse fixture, coming off the bench and scoring within minutes to help United to a 3-2 comeback victory, after Karim Ansarifard had scored a shock first-half opener for the Cypriot side.

Our no.9’s performance at the GSP Stadium earned him a starting berth for Sunday’s trip to Goodison Park, but he managed just 29 minutes against Everton before having to depart with a back problem.

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The Reds are looking to make it three Europa League wins in succession when the Cypriots come to M16.

Cristiano Ronaldo came off the bench to replace him and went on to score the Reds’ winning goal, but the sight of Martial leaving the pitch was a frustrating one from a United perspective, given he only recently returned to action after an Achilles injury kept him out for the whole of September.

Erik ten Hag confirmed after the game that this was a fresh issue but said further tests would need to be conducted to confirm the extent of the injury.

Martial’s compatriot Raphael Varane returned from his one-game absence in the closing stages of the win at Goodison Park, but Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Harry Maguire and Donny van de Beek are still on the sidelines.

Ten Hag said the latter was still recovering from a muscle injury, which has restricted him to individual work at Carrington in recent weeks.

Scott McTominay’s fifth Premier League booking of the season, picked up in the Everton game, rules him out of Sunday's meeting with Newcastle United on Sunday but he is free to play against Omonia.

A trio of youngsters in Alejandro Garnacho, Facundo Pellistri and Zidane Iqbal were unused substitutes on the trip to Cyprus and were spotted in training earlier this week, alongside several Academy prospects.

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The drills at Carrington on Monday featured some young Reds after the victory over Everton.

OMONIA TEAM NEWS

Brazilian goalkeeper Fabiano was one of Omonia’s best players at the GSP Stadium, making five saves, but he was withdrawn with injury after 57 minutes of their 1-0 defeat to AEL Limassol on Monday and his place on the plane to Manchester could be in doubt.

“He’s hurt his shoulder, so again we’ll have to assess him in the coming days but I would assume he will be out for Thursday,” said Omonia boss Neil Lennon.

Former Celtic and Sheffield Wednesday forward Gary Hooper made only his second appearance since joining the club in September, while Bissau-Guinean midfielder Moreto Cassama also returned to action in Limassol as a substitute.

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