Former Manchester United captain Gary Neville has backed Erik ten Hag to choose Jonny Evans to start alongside Lisandro Martinez in Saturday’s FA Cup final.
United will face rivals Manchester City knowing they need to win to secure a place in Europe next season. The Reds finished eighth in the league – their lowest finish in the Premier League era – meaning they missed out on a European spot.
Bragging rights, a place in the Europa League and a piece of silverware are all on the line for United this weekend, and Ten Hag will be hoping to have the rare luxury of multiple options when he comes to pick his defence.
United have been plagued by injury issues this season, particularly in defence. Raphael Varane returned against Brighton on Sunday and Lisandro Martinez played 59 minutes. Harry Maguire hopes to be fit and Victor Lindelof has also resumed training. However, Neville does not believe Ten Hag will risk Varane, Maguire or Lindelof.
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Speaking on the Stick to Football podcast, Neville named the player he would start alongside Martinez, despite Varane, Maguire and Lindelof all potentially being in contention.
“I think it will be Jonny Evans and Martinez. I can’t think he will play Varane and Martinez, both of them having not played, that’s a massive risk.”
Jamie Carragher disagreed with his fellow Sky Sports pundit, saying: “I think he’s got to take a chance with players who are probably not fully fit. That’s Varane and Martinez.
“Those two have to play at centre-back. Varane, if he plays to the level he can play, he’s a good player, so who else are you going to put there? Casemiro? Evans? You’ve got to stop Erling Haaland.”