Manchester United travel to Atletico Madrid on Tuesday with their left side of defence and central midfield still unsettled, while reports differ over the availability of Matthijs de Ligt.
Michael Carrick is expected to clarify the position when he addresses the media before the Champions League tie at the Metropolitano. Luke Shaw and Kobbie Mainoo have both been described as fitness concerns, leaving United with decisions that could affect both the balance of the back four and the make-up of midfield.
De Ligt status needs clarification
There is broad agreement that United will be without Manuel Ugarte, Patrick Dorgu and Benjamin Sesko. The reporting is less consistent on De Ligt. One account places the Netherlands defender among the doubts, whereas another says he is definitely unavailable. Noussair Mazraoui and Tom Heaton also appear on one injury list but not the other.
That distinction matters. If De Ligt cannot travel, Carrick has fewer experienced options for a match that is likely to demand calm distribution and aerial authority against Atletico's forwards. The available projected defence has Leny Yoro, Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martinez as the central three, with Diogo Dalot operating on the left.
Dalot changing flanks is portrayed as the least disruptive answer if Shaw is not ready. It would preserve much of the side used at the weekend, but it is not United's only route. Martinez could be shifted wider, although that would remove a left-footed central defender from the middle. Youngsters Ayden Heaven and Harry Amass have also been mentioned as alternatives.
The reports identify the possibilities but cannot yet settle whether this is a tactical choice or an enforced reshuffle. Carrick's squad announcement, rather than the early predicted line-ups, should provide the decisive answer.
Midfield selection could be more flexible
Mainoo's situation creates a separate issue, but United appear better placed to absorb an absence in midfield than at left-back. Carlos Baleba made an encouraging substitute appearance against Tottenham and is being tipped for a first start. Andrey Santos is another candidate for more involvement after missing out around the international break.
A projected XI has Baleba alongside Youri Tielemans, behind an attacking group featuring Amad Diallo, Bruno Fernandes, Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo. That would offer fresh legs in midfield and retain Mbeumo after his weekend goal, while Marcus Rashford and Joshua Zirkzee are presented as viable alternatives in the forward positions.
The important caveat is that neither Baleba's proposed start nor the exact forward combination has been confirmed. With Sesko absent, Carrick's choice is less about replacing a like-for-like centre-forward than deciding how much mobility, pressing and link play he wants around Fernandes.
Atletico arrive with options of their own
Atletico's preparation appears more straightforward. Alex Grimaldo returned from a knock in the weekend win over Alaves, while Julian Alvarez is being considered to start after coming on at half-time in that game. Reports expect Diego Simeone's team to use a 4-2-3-1 shape, matching the broad system anticipated for United.
That potential symmetry should not obscure the very different personnel questions. Atletico can focus on their attacking selection; United are still working through the condition of a left-back, a midfielder and possibly a senior centre-back. The hosts' home setting makes those unresolved calls more significant, particularly if United are required to defend transitions with an unfamiliar defensive unit.
The available Atletico Madrid vs Manchester United forecast gives the home side a 64% chance of victory, compared with 19% for a draw and 17% for an away win. Those probabilities reflect the scale of the task, but they do not answer the central pre-match question: how close Carrick can get to his preferred defensive structure.
Kick-off is scheduled for 19:00 UTC on Tuesday, October 13, which is 20:00 BST in Madrid's Champions League slot. The final travelling squad and Carrick's update on Shaw, Mainoo and De Ligt will determine whether the predicted XI is a realistic blueprint or merely one of several contingencies.