Team News

FC Porto
Vitor Bruno does not have any new injury concerns hampering his preparations ahead of his side’s first home game in the UEFA Europa League this season. Against Manchester United on Thursday, the FC Porto manager will be bereft of the services of three first-team players.

Zaidu Sanusi and Ivan Marcano are long-term absentees due to their knee injuries. In addition, Bruno is sweating over the fitness of Otavio, who has missed the last three games due to a muscle injury.

Diogo Costa is the automatic pick between the sticks, with FC Porto lining up in a 4-2-3-1 formation in front of him against Manchester United. The backline should feature Joao Mario, Ze Pedro, Nehuen Perez, and Francisco Moura.

As for the midfield unit, Alan Varela and Nico Gonzalez will pair up in the double pivot, looking to keep things tight in the middle of the park. Vasco Sousa will reprise the no. 10 role, with Pepe and Galeno being the two wide attackers. Finally, Samu Omorodion will lead the line for the home side against Manchester United.

Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Costa; Mario, Pedro, Perez, Moura; Gonzalez, Varela; Pepe, Sousa, Galeno; Omorodion

Manchester United
Like his counterpart in the FC Porto dugout, Erik ten Hag does not have any new issues to worry about ahead of the trip to Estadio do Dragao. The Manchester United manager will be without three first-team players on Thursday.

Erik ten Hag has been sweating over the fitness of Kobbie Mainoo, who picked up a knock this past weekend against Tottenham. However, the Englishman and his compatriot, Harry Maguire, are in the travelling squad. So, Luke Shaw (leg), Leny Yoro (foot), and Tyrell Malacia (knee) remain on the sidelines, with Shaw encountering a setback on his road to recovery.

Andre Onana will take his usual spot between the sticks, with Manchester United lining up in a 4-2-3-1 formation in front of him against FC Porto on Thursday. The backline should feature Noussair Mazraoui, Matthijs de Ligt, Lisandro Martinez, and Diogo Dalot.

As for the midfield unit, Erik ten Hag might hand some rest to Mainoo, with Christian Eriksen pairing up with Manuel Ugarte in the double pivot. Bruno Fernandes will reprise the no. 10 role, with Marcus Rashford and Amad Diallo being the two wide attackers. Finally, Rasmus Hojlund will likely make his first start of the 2024/25 season after regaining sharpness in recent weeks.

Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Onana; Mazraoui, de Ligt, Martinez, Dalot; Eriksen, Ugarte; Diallo, Bruno Fernandes, Rashford; Hojlund
Prediction: FC Porto 1-2 Manchester United