Harry Maguire Out, Bruno Fernandes Fit for Man Utd vs Tottenham

Harry Maguire has been left out of the Manchester United squad for Thursday’s Premier League clash with Tottenham due to injury. With Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane sidelined, Erik ten Hag’s options at the back have dwindled for the season run-in. Luke Shaw and Victor Lindelof formed an effective partnership at the back in Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final victory over Brighton with the manager opting for that pairing again on Thursday night at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Maguire was not involved on Sunday at Wembley, serving a one-match suspension but missed out again tonight after picking up an injury in training this week. Bruno Fernandes was also a major doubt heading into the fixture. The Portugal international, an almost ever-present figure in Erik ten Hag’s starting XI, picked up what appeared to be an ankle knock in the first half against Brighton. He remained on the pitch until the 101th minute with Wout Weghorst coming onto replace him, with United eventually booking their place in the final after a tense 7-6 win on penalties. Fernandes was pictured with a protective boot and crutches on Monday but the 28-year-old made the journey down to London and was named in the starting XI. United head into the fixture in fourth place, level on points with third place Newcastle United who are in action against Everton tonight. Tottenham are seventh, six points behind the pair, and are in desperate need of a win under new interim heads coach Ryan Mason to stay in the first for Champions League qualification. David de Gea said ahead of kick-off: ‘It’s a big game against a team that wants to be in the same position as we are, fighting for the top four. So, yeah, we have to make sure we go home with the three points. We play against a good team. We know how difficult is to play here against them. But yeah, you have to try your best and win again.’