Ralf Rangnick.

Team news for Young Boys encounter

Tuesday 07 December 2021 13:41

Manchester United interim boss Ralf Rangnick has offered some insight into his plans for the Champions League tie against Young Boys.

The boss is readying his second selection since taking over the reins last week and the question has been whether he will heavily rotate with qualification and top spot in Group F already secured or use the home game to further drum his ideas into the group.

Several players were unavailable for the win over Crystal Palace on Sunday but there were encouraging signs in training this morning (Tuesday), when Luke Shaw, Raphael Varane, Jesse Lingard and Edinson Cavani were all present at Carrington.

"I haven't finally decided, to be honest," Ralf replied, when asked about his selection for the 20:00 GMT kick-off. "It definitely makes sense that we rest a few players due to the crowded fixture list over the next few weeks and months. We need to make sure we have enough recovery as possible, also for the Premier League, but, on the other hand, we need to keep our positive momentum.

"Our ethos is to win games, even if we maybe play with a few new players, fresh players, it's still important we win the game. We definitely want to win the game."

Dean Henderson and Donny van de Beek have been confirmed as starters by Rangnick, who said the pair will be in the XI during his press conference. However, Varane and Cavani are not ready yet to feature.

"They were part of the training session today and, if everything goes well, I expect both of them back in full training next week," he explained about the injured pair. "Hopefully, Monday next week, they will be participating in all training sessions."

Anthony Martial joined fellow Frenchman Paul Pogba on the sidelines, last time out and is absent, while Phil Jones is ineligible for the group stages of the competition.

Youngster Anthony Elanga came off the bench for his first Premier League minutes of the season and is another attacking option as he is part of the Champions League squad.

YOUNG BOYS' TEAM NEWS

Ulisses Garcia is out for the rest of the year after suffering a calf injury against FC Zurich. The squad flying to Manchester also looks set to be missing keeper David von Ballmoos, Christian Fassnacht, Felix Mambibi, Jean-Pierre Nsame and Cedric Zesiger. Wilfried Kanga is doubtful with a head injury but captain Fabian Lustenberger is back from a serious Achilles problem.

The Swiss side, who still have an outside chance of qualifying for the Europa League, may start Jordan Lefort at left-back with coach David Wagner tipped to make changes to the side beaten by Servette at the weekend.

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