Manchester United fans would love to see Donny van de Beek start against Liverpool on Sunday if Bruno Fernandes is ruled out with injury.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer confirmed on Friday that Fernandes is a doubt for the Premier League showdown at Old Trafford, and he will be assessed before the game to see if he can play.
The midfielder played the full 90 minutes of United’s Champions League comeback vs Atalanta on Wednesday, providing two assists and earning the official Man of the Match award.
However, Solskjaer has since revealed that Fernandes is carrying a knock and might be absent against Liverpool.
“Games like Wednesday night are always going to bring knocks and bruises and we do have two or three carrying knocks from that game,” said the manager.
“I’ll give everyone time, I hope I can pick from a fully fit squad, I might be without two or three. Bruno might be a doubt but he’s doing everything he can to be ready.”
In response, fans have taken to Twitter to suggest that they have a ready-made replacement in the squad who should be given the nod if Fernandes isn’t passed fit – Van de Beek.
The Dutchman has struggled for game time since joining United last summer, and Solskjaer has had to field questions about Van de Beek’s frustrations at not playing as often as he would like.
Also a doubt for the Liverpool game is midfielder Fred, who limped off against Atalanta, and his potential absence only strengthened the belief of supporters that there’s room for Van de Beek in Sunday’s starting line up.
Solskjaer said: “Fred is a very good player, he’s a regular for Brazil, which in itself is a mark of quality, he’s got an exceptional personality and attitude to football, such a big smile, and at present, I can’t say if he’s gonna be fit or not but he’ll give everything he can to be there for us.
“It was a great effort and great atmosphere towards the end [vs Atalanta], another one of the great Champions League nights at Old Trafford.
“A great comeback, which will bring some knocks and bruises, which normally you will expect. It’s still Friday, the game’s on Sunday, we’ll give everyone time. We might have the whole squad back fit, we might be two or three players down, today we didn’t have everyone. Let’s see Sunday.”