Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho is facing something of a selection crisis when Premier League football resumes at the weekend, with up to seven important first-team players set to be missing for one reason or another for the visit of Arsenal on Saturday lunchtime.
United will definitely be without Zlatan Ibrahimovic through suspension after the yellow card he picked up against Swansea prior to the international break resulted in a one-game ban.
Despite conflicting reports at the end of last week over his status, Chris Smalling isn't expected to feature as a result of his ongoing fitness issues, neither is Luke Shaw. Antonio Valencia is still also nursing a broken arm, while Eric Bailly won't be seen until December.
Additionally, a report from the Daily Telegraph only rates Wayne Rooney's chances of being able to play as '60/40' after he was forced to withdraw from the England squad with a knee problem. Similarly, a calf strain that kept Marouane Fellaini from representing Belgium continues to linger.
Without Ibrahimovic or Rooney to lead the line, it points to Anthony Martial or Marcus Rashford. It was of course last season's home fixture against Arsenal that saw Rashford score his first two Premier League goals, following up from his sensational debut in Europe a few days earlier.
At the back, a starting central partnership of Phil Jones and Daley Blind, with Marcos Rojo and Matteo Darmian flanking on the left and right respectively, seems like the only option.
Possible #MUFC XI vs Arsenal. Very top heavy.
4-2-3-1
De Gea
Darmian
Jones
Blind
Rojo
Carrick
Herrera
Mata
Pogba
Martial
Rashford
The domestic return of Ander Herrera, who will be hoping to make his senior Spain debut against England on Tuesday after once again being included the squad, will at least offer a boost for Mourinho. The combative midfielder had been in fine form prior to a recent suspension.
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