This international break has seen seven Manchester United players miss out on participation with their respective national teams due to injury. Some are expected back to return for the weekend clash at home against Watford, but how many remains to be seen.
There is a whole lot to get through, so let’s dive right in, starting with the final third. As always, click where highlighted for more. Striker Romelu Lukaku is a doubt as he missed both of Belgium’s matches this break, and United’s FA Cup elimination due to a foot problem.
Jesse Lingard returned to action for United last time out, but he was not called up for England duty and he instead did some warm weather training in Dubai. While he in the UAE, he hung out with big cats and a talented chimpanzee.
Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial pulled out of international duty due to injury, but it is thought to be more precautionary, and both may be in contention for Saturday against the Hornets. One man who is not in contention is Alexis Sanchez, who’s out until late April with a knee injury.
Shifting to midfield, Juan Mata proclaimed himself fit and ready to go while Nemanja Matic missed out on Serbia’s two matches this past international break.
Heading to the back now, central defender Eric Bailly suffered a head injury during the first match of international break with the Ivory Coast, and then ended up missing the second match. Don’t expect to see him on Saturday.
Another centre back, Victor Lindelof, didn’t go away with Sweden while Luke Shaw missed out on England duty and now faces a late fitness test for this Premier League fixture.
Long term absentees Matteo Darmian and Marcos Rojo are not expected to feature.
Manchester United vs Watford FC FYIs
Kick-off: Saturday March 30, Old Trafford 3pm local
United Starting XI Prediction: go to this link
Odds via Odds Checker: United 5/11, Draw 39/10, Crystal Palace 7/1
Google Result Probability: Manchester United win 67%, Draw 20%, Watford win 13%
Prediction: United 2, Watford 0
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, a former writer for NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, regularly appears as a guest pundit on WGN CLTV and co-hosts the “Let’s Get Weird, Sports” podcast on SB Nation.
He also contributes sociopolitical essays to Chicago Now. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram. The content of his cat’s Instagram account is unquestionably superior to his.