Manchester United travel to Merseyside on Saturday for a crucial clash against Everton in the Premier League.
The Red Devils’ slim top-four hopes were strengthened on Monday when Arsenal slipped up and lost to Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.
It leaves United three points off Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur in the race for the Champions League places, although the Gunners have played a game fewer.
As for the opposition, Everton are embroiled in the grips of a relegation scrap and lost to rivals Burnley in midweek, meaning the Toffees now sit just a point above the relegation zone.
So for both teams, coming away from Goodison Park with three points is key, but Ralf Rangnick’s pre-match preparations have been dealt a blow with three key first-team players missing, along with Edinson Cavani, who it was already known was out though injury.
“Cristiano [Ronaldo] is back again. Luke is still injured,” Rangnick said in Friday’s pre-match press conference. “We had to take him off at half-time [against Leicester City] and he’s having problems with his leg where had his operation back in 2015.
“Yeah, the doctor told me that they decided to remove that metal thing in his leg, there are two bolts that need to be removed and this will happen tomorrow and that means he will be out for the next two or three weeks.
“Cavani is still injured. Rapha Varane is still injured, he will be missing for the game tomorrow and the same is true with Scott McTominay, I’m afraid. He’s having problems with the sole of his foot. So those four players will be missing.”
Therefore, we take a look at how United could line up on Saturday without the injured quartet.
1. David De Gea
Not missed a minute of Premier League football this season, and that’s unlikely to change at Goodison.
2. Diogo Dalot
Started last week against Leicester, and has been a much more consistent performer in 2022 than Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
3. Harry Maguire
It will be interesting to see if the United skipper lines up on the right side of the two centre-backs, as he did in the Leicester draw.
4. Victor Lindelof
The most likely replacement for Raphael Varane, although Eric Bailly and Phil Jones are also options.