Michael Carrick has confirmed that Lisandro Martinez is in the squad as Manchester United travel to Leeds, with attention finally returning to the pitch after days of debate over the Argentine's controversial interview in midweek.
Following a 2-0 defeat at Atletico Madrid, Martinez publicly criticised the INEOS hierarchy, particularly director of football Jason Wilcox, over a perceived lack of results in the transfer market. Carrick now faces a decision on whether to keep Martinez in the team for the trip to Elland Road, where United aim to win their first domestic match since August.
Jack McEachen's XI
Carrick confirmed Martinez would be in the squad to face Leeds, and a lack of proven alternatives means he is forced into starting the Argentine, even if he wanted to issue a sporting punishment for midweek's outburst.
Martinez should be deployed at left-back at Elland Road, kept away from Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who would physically dominate him. Moving him out wide also fixes another hole, and in Yorkshire United will need as many players as possible who are comfortable on the ball to deal with one of the best pressing teams in the Premier League.
That means bringing Mason Mount in for Andrey Santos, with Kobbie Mainoo presumably absent, and the Englishman can alternate with Bruno Fernandes in a 4-3-3 shape. The front three largely picks itself, with Amad a capable option from the bench and Matheus Cunha restored after being left out against Atletico. The £62.5million man is still one of United's most deadly forwards and will be desperate to prove he deserves 'undroppable' status.
McEachen's XI: Lammens; Dalot, Maguire, Heaven, Martinez; Baleba, Fernandes; Mbeumo, Mount, Rashford; Cunha.
Amos Murphy's XI
Lisandro Martinez cannot play. He is lucky to even get in the matchday squad. His comments have been an unwanted distraction for a club already on the verge of crisis.
Diogo Dalot was dreadful in Madrid, so he is out of the team. Kobbie Mainoo remains a doubt, so it is likely to be Andrey Santos in the middle of the park. A front free of Marcus Rashford, Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha look to provide the goals.
Murphy's XI: Lammens; Shaw, Heaven, Maguire, Dalot; Santos, Baleba; Rashford, Fernandes, Mbeumo; Cunha.
Charlie Malam's XI
Having missed the trip to Madrid, Kobbie Mainoo, Luke Shaw and Benjamin Sesko will all be unable to start at Elland Road, so those three are immediately disregarded from the options.
The performance was actually better in midweek despite defeat, and much of the XI should stay the same here. That means Marcus Rashford on the left and Bryan Mbeumo central. But Bruno Fernandes should start in the No.10 role with Amad Diallo on the right wing for added counter-attacking threat.
That means Andrey Santos and Matheus Cunha are both benched. Youri Tielemans drops back into the two-man midfield alongside Carlos Baleba. Two changes should be made to the backline too - Leny Yoro replacing Ayden Heaven at right-back with Harry Maguire coming in at centre-half.
Malam's XI: Lammens; Yoro, Maguire, Martinez, Dalot; Tielemans, Baleba; Amad, Fernandes, Rashford; Mbeumo.
