-Credit:CameraSport via Getty Images
Manchester United begin the defence of their FA Cup title on Sunday away at Arsenal.
Ruben Amoirm’s side will have drawn some positives from their 2-2 draw at Liverpool last weekend. United will now be looking for their first win in all competitions since beating Manchester City 2-1 on December 15.
The Reds will face a tough task though against a team sitting second in the Premier League table. Mikel Arteta’s side look to be Liverpool’s closest title challengers this season but they lost 2-0 to Newcastle last time out in their Carabao Cup semi-final first leg tie.
READ MORE: How Amad recovered from two setbacks to become one of Manchester United’s most important players
READ MORE: Manchester United agree first loan departure of January transfer window
And ahead of Sunday’s game in north London, Amorim has confirmed that second-choice goalkeeper Altay Bayindir will play against the Gunners. The Turkish shot-stopper has not played since performing poorly against Tottenham in the League Cup last month.
“Altay is going to play,” Amorim confirmed. It means first-choice shot-stopper Andre Onana will be given a rare breather.
Marcus Rashford, meanwhile, is back in contention, having not played since the 2-1 win over Viktoria Plzen in the Europa League on December 12. The forward was subsequently left out of four consecutive first-team squads before being selected for the 2-0 defeat to Newcastle.
Rashford then missed the trip to Liverpool through illness but could now feature against Arsenal. Transfer speculation continues to grow around the Reds’ academy graduate, with Borussia Dortmund, AC Milan and Juventus all linked.
Full Manchester United squad against Arsenal
Goalkeepers: Andre Onana, Altay Bayindir, Tom Heaton
Defenders: Matthijs de Ligt, Noussair Mazraoui, Harry Maguire, Lisandro Martinez, Tyrell Malacia, Leny Yoro, Diogo Dalot, Jonny Evans, Harry Amass
Midfielders: Christian Eriksen, Casemiro, Kobbie Mainoo, Toby Collyer, Daniel Gore
Forwards: Rasmus Hojlund, Joshua Zirkzee, Amad, Alejandro Garnacho, Antony, Ethan Wheatley, Marcus Rashford
Unavailable: Mason Mount, Luke Shaw, Victor Lindelof