Leicester City are as close to having a fully-fit squad as they have been all season, but it means there are tougher decisions for Ruud van Nistelrooy to make.
With Ricardo Pereira back on the pitch for the first time in four months, City only have Abdul Fatawu on the sidelines, the winger out for the season following an ACL tear.
That gives van Nistelrooy 22 fit senior outfield players to choose from. However, only 18 can make his squad.
Provided no further players pick up injuries, four will have to miss out every week. Against Chelsea, Oliver Skipp travelled with the squad but did not make the bench, while Jannik Vestergaard, Kasey McAteer, and Odsonne Edouard were left at home.
Vestergaard’s absence was perhaps the biggest surprise given he had started just 10 days earlier when City lost at West Ham.
In recent weeks, van Nistelrooy had been including all four of his centre-backs in his matchday squad, despite playing with a back four.
Now he’s using a back five, but chose to have only three centre-backs, with Wout Faes and Conor Coady joined in the middle of the defence by Luke Thomas, and with Caleb Okoli on the bench.
Vestergaard’s absence is unlikely to be bemoaned by supporters though, especially if it allows more forward-thinking options to make the bench, with Ricardo back involved and Woyo Coulibaly, likely a wing-back in the new system, also returning to the squad.
But there will be questions over the other absentees. Skipp’s inability to even make the bench will see eyebrows raised further over the £20m spent on him.
McAteer’s run of games without involvement will see the decision to turn down a bid from Sunderland in January questioned, although City are possibly only one injury away from the academy graduate being back on the bench.
Despite van Nistelrooy opting for a strike partnership with Jamie Vardy and Patson Daka at Stamford Bridge, Edouard still wasn't named among the subs as a back-up, which will only lead to further anger over what has been very poor business in bringing the Frenchman in on loan.
But equally, some players have to miss out and few supporters would dispute the quartet van Nistelrooy is currently omitting.
The fitness of the squad also means the likelihood of Jake Evans getting an opportunity is diminished.
Given the lack of goals, fans had been hoping the 16-year-old forward, who has been scoring for fun in Premier League 2, may be offered a chance.
Van Nistelrooy has said he would use Evans if he deemed him to be better than City’s current options, but with a handful of senior players already missing out, it doesn’t feel like he will drop another to find a spot for the teenager.
Which four players would you omit from the squad against Manchester United? Click HERE to have your say.
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