Manchester United will be unable to field a full strength XI against Leicester City tonight due to the ridiculous short turnaround between matches.
The game will be a chance for fringe players to get involved, with Donny van de Beek, Juan Mata and Alex Telles among them.
It’s also a chance for youth players too, with Amad likely among them.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was asked in his press conference on Monday if either Amad or Shola Shoretire would be involved, and he responded by saying young players would be in his thoughts over the coming stretch of matches, with Champions League qualification already assured.
Elanga in?
Shoretire started last night’s under-23 match along with Hannibal Mejbri. Neither of them will be featuring for United’s first team against Leicester tonight.
Anthony Elanga on the other hand, was rested, as was Amad. The young Swede scored two goals and provided one assist in the previous week’s 6-2 victory against the Foxes.
The youngster has trained with United’s first team and travelled abroad for Europa League ties against Roma and Granada.
Bruno Fernandes last week told the club website he was impressed by Elanga and tipped him for a big future if he works hard.
His absence from the under-23s on Monday night is a clear hint he will be with the first team squad against Leicester.
It makes a lot of sense
An injury to Dan James makes the Welshman unlikely to feature, at a point in the season United need reinforcements.
Marcus Rashford is playing through an injury and featured for 90 minutes at the weekend, as did Paul Pogba.
Amad could also feature against Leicester, but he could be required either up front or wide right, with both Edinson Cavani and Mason Greenwood needing rest themselves.
While it would be a surprise if Elanga started the game, he could get at 30 minutes from the bench, or less, if whoever starts wide left – or up front – is deemed unable to complete the 90.
Elanga is an explosive talent who has 11 goals and four assists for the under-23s, a figure which could have been even higher if not for a three-month injury lay-off.
These figures, including goals in the EFL Trophy, saw Elanga finish the campaign as the under-23s leading goalscorer.
It seems very likely Elanga will make his first team debut at some point over the next four league games. There is a good chance it could be tonight.
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