Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim will be aiming for his first competitive win of the season when his side face Grimsby Town in the EFL Cup second round at Blundell Park.

While the Red Devils are expected to rotate heavily, the Man United injury list and suspension situation could still play a key role in Amorim’s squad selection.

Man United injury concerns ahead of Grimsby

The current Man United injury list is relatively short, but it still features some important names.

Lisandro Martinez remains sidelined with a knee injury and is not expected back until late October, leaving a gap in central defence that could open the door for academy prospect Tyler Fredricson to feature again.

Meanwhile, Noussair Mazraoui has been recovering from a thigh problem.

The Moroccan full-back is close to returning, with Amorim hopeful he could be available as early as the weekend, but he will not take part against Grimsby.

These absences limit the manager’s options in defence, particularly with Martinez’s leadership and composure missing at the back.

Suspensions impacting Man United selection

Unlike in previous seasons, United enter this tie with no suspensions.

However, Amorim’s choices remain influenced by ongoing uncertainty around the goalkeeping department.

With doubts over both André Onana and Altay Bayindir, the upcoming arrival of Belgian goalkeeper Senne Lammens has cast shadows on the current pecking order.

That said, Onana is tipped to start against Grimsby, as Amorim looks to restore confidence in his No.1.

How the Man United injury list shapes Amorim’s plans

The Man United injury situation means that the squad’s younger talents may get rare opportunities.

With Martinez out and Mazraoui still recovering, Amorim could turn to Fredricson at the back and hand Kobbie Mainoo valuable minutes in midfield.

Bruno Fernandes is expected to feature in a more advanced role, providing creativity behind new signing Benjamin Sesko, who may get his first start since joining from RB Leipzig.

Despite Grimsby being heavy underdogs, Amorim is aware that any slip-up could raise questions about his tenure so early in the campaign.

Balancing rotation with stability will be key, and navigating around the current Man United injury list could define the team’s performance on Wednesday night.