Ten Hag provides team news update

Tuesday 07 February 2023 12:30

Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has previewed Wednesday's game with Leeds United and discussed his plans for the 20:00 GMT kick-off.

The Reds are looking to extend our winning sequence at Old Trafford, in all competitions, to 14 games, with manager-less Leeds coming to town for the first of two consecutive meetings with the Yorkshiremen.

Casemiro is suspended for the game, as he sits out the first of three Premier League fixtures following his red card, as a result of VAR intervention, against Crystal Palace on Saturday. The influential midfielder also misses the Elland Road clash at the weekend and home match with Leicester City.

Casemiro's fellow Brazilian, Antony, is also out of action, presumably after being hurt in the challenge by Jeffrey Schlupp that sparked the confrontation leading to the sending off. The winger was withdrawn soon afterwards and looked in some discomfort.

Anthony Martial and Scott McTominay are also still unavailable.

"They [Martial and McTominay] are not involved tomorrow," said Ten Hag at his press conference. "And the same with Antony dos Santos. He is also not available for tomorrow so we have to sort that out."

Donny van de Beek (knee) and Christian Eriksen (ankle) are long-term absentees due to injury but Diogo Dalot returned as an unused substitute last time out.

Ten Hag said he would not make any excuses over the players missing for the encounter, his first meeting with Leeds since taking over at United.

"I'm the manager," he stated. "I always have to play with the players who are available. We have a squad, we have many good players available in that squad, who are not always in the starting XI. So, others [will] get the chance and I have to do it.

"After the game, I can't say Casemiro is not there, Anthony Martial is not there. No, we have to win. This squad, all players in [it], are Man United capable, so they have to perform tomorrow and we have to win the games, no matter who is coming on the pitch."

LEEDS' TEAM NEWS

Stand-in boss Michael Skubala provided an update on the team news in a press conference, following Jesse Marsch's departure on Monday.

"The usual long-term injuries, they haven't changed," he said. "We have a few bumps and bruises but I don't want to give them away."

Paco Gallardo and former United man Chris Armas will also be in the dugout at Old Trafford.

Robin Koch is back from suspension, after missing the defeat to Nottingham Forest, while Brenden Aaronson is also available, despite suffering appendicitis. Stuart Dallas, Adam Forshaw, Archie Gray, Sonny Perkins and Rodrigo could all be out.

Patrick Bamford is fit again and looks set to lead the line.

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