How Man Utd will line-up at Aston Villa with Eric Bailly in for Victor Lindelof… and will Fernandes finally get break?
OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER has revealed Victor Lindelof is a doubt to face Aston Villa on Thursday.
The Manchester United centre-back was replaced at half-time during the 5-2 win against Bournemouth due to a back injury.
Eric Bailly deputised in the Swede's absence and may now get the chance to impress from the start at Villa Park.
Speaking to the on Lindelof's injury, Solskjaer revealed there is no update on his condition.
He said: "Not yet, no. It’s not too bad. He’ll play soon.
"I’m not sure if he’ll manage the Villa game, but he might
do."
Despite United having to manage three games in six days, Solskjaer is likely to name an almost unchanged side after stretching their unbeaten run to 16 games with victory over Bournemouth.
The Red Devils will need maximum points against relegation-threatened Villa following Chelsea's 3-2 win over Crystal Palace.
Though if Solskjaer does decide to prioritise the FA Cup instead, Bruno Fernandes may be allowed a breather.
The Portuguese has been ever-present in United's side since his January move and wasn't even afforded a rest in the extra-time cup win over Norwich.
But Juan Mata could be an option if Solskjaer wishes to avoid Fernandes suffering either an injury or burnout.
Brandon Williams can expect game time in the coming weeks and could come in for Luke Shaw at left-back.
Fred and Scott McTominay were first-team regulars before Paul Pogba's injury return and Nemanja Matic's resurgent form.
Yet one or both of the midfielders may be called upon against Villa with Solskjaer set to protect his usual pair for the Chelsea semi-final showdown.
The FA Cup clash next Sunday comes after United face Southampton on Monday and Palace on Thursday.
Such a pile-up could mean impact substitutes Daniel James and Odion Ighalo being restored to the starting line-up against Villa.
On his recent team selections, Solskjaer said: "We have stated the same 11 the three games.
1-2-FREE
Most read in Sport
"One is because of good form and two, they do create a nice unit and attacking threat.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
"But we have got other players. It's so difficult for me to leave Scott and Fred out the team and Brandon [Williams] and Dan James out.
"We've got players who deserve to play, but we will need everyone. We've got so many games coming up in a short space of time."