Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim has refused to rule out Chido Obi's hopes of a start when the Red Devils host Arsenal in Sunday's Premier League main event at Old Trafford.
The former Gunners youth product - who jumped ship in the summer - made an impression off the bench against Fulham in the FA Cup last weekend but was not involved in the 1-1 Europa League draw with Real Sociedad in midweek.
Rasmus Hojlund's persistent struggles will work in Obi's favour, but Amorim may feel that the 17-year-old is not yet ready to go toe-to-toe with the likes of William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes.
As a result, Hojlund should be retained at the tip of the attack, supported by Alejandro Garnacho and Joshua Zirkzee as Amorim counts the cost of the Red Devils' crushing injury crisis.
Patrick Dorgu also returns to the sidelines this weekend due to his Premier League suspension, meaning that Diogo Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui will operate either side of Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes, unless Manuel Ugarte unexpectedly returns from a knock.
Mazraoui comprised part of the Red Devils' back three against Real Sociedad, but as he will now have to be moved forward to cover for Dorgu, Amorim will seemingly have to hand Victor Lindelof his first start of the Premier League season alongside Matthijs de Ligt and Leny Yoro.
The Portuguese expects to be without Harry Maguire (knock) once again, while Amad Diallo (ankle), Lisandro Martinez (knee), Kobbie Mainoo (calf), Jonny Evans (back), Luke Shaw (hamstring), Mason Mount (hamstring), Altay Bayindir (unspecified) and Tom Heaton (unspecified) are guaranteed absentees.
Manchester United possible starting lineup:
Onana; Yoro, De Ligt, Lindelof; Mazraoui, Casemiro, Fernandes, Dalot; Zirkzee, Garnacho; Hojlund
> Click here to see how Arsenal could line up for this match
Ben Knapton
