Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has rotated his Manchester United team for the final Europa League group stage game against AZ Alkmaar at Old Trafford.
United need to avoid defeat to ensure they finish top of the group L, after already securing their qualification into the knockout stages with AZ needing victory to overtake Solskjaer’s side.
The significance in the Reds topping the group tonight is they will avoid a potentially tough draw against the likes of Inter Milan, Ajax or RB Salzburg in the first knockout round.
READ MORE: Confirmed MUFC line-up vs AZ Alkmaar: Young at right-back, Garner in midfield
Harry Maguire and Anthony Martial are the only survivors in the starting eleven from the stunning derby victory at the Etihad on Sunday.
We hope the presence of Martial, supported by Juan Mata and Mason Greenwood in attack will have enough firepower to defeat the Eredivisie side and make it three consecutive wins for the Reds.
Brandon Williams also returns to the side, alongside fellow academy graduates Axel Tuanzebe and James Garner.
See Solskjaer’s squad selection in full below via United’s twitter, plus some reactions from fellow Reds.
Here's how we line up to face AZ Alkmaar 👇#MUFC #UEL
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) December 12, 2019
Mata, Pereira & Matic. Dead midfield. January is a must. #MUFC https://t.co/JueWRCqCCx
— UNITED THOUGHTS (@UTD_Thoughts) December 12, 2019
A trio of interesting partnerships to watch tonight…
– Maguire and Tuanzebe, perhaps our best CB partnership
– Matic and Garner, will Garner be able to get forward and attack more than he has done
– Greenwood and Martial, how will they co-exist without Rashford#mufc— United In Focus (@UnitedInFocus) December 12, 2019
OFFICIAL Man United XI vs AZ Alkmaar;
Such a quite strong picked XI by Ole for the last group match with Maguire & Martial as starters. Matic is back from injury, Williams, Garner & Greenwood start too with Chong & Laird at the bench. Lets finish this with a win!🔴#MUNALK #UEL pic.twitter.com/IbMgGFKFrK
— Roro O'Monstro.™ (@Roromeo_MUFC10) December 12, 2019
Ole should start getting his tactics right Vs 'small' teams by a win today, with the squad selection I expect garner to play CM with Matic as Pereira plays 10 4231,Pereira plays better as AM he can't play CM or on the wings, Mata RW, martial LW. Greenwood target man #MUFC #MUNALK pic.twitter.com/tiqV4o546r
— Jomo (@punditlanguage) December 12, 2019
Says much about Gomes' and Chong's stocks one isn't in
the #mufc squad and the other is only on the bench. Further confirms that Greenwood, Garner and Williams have leapfrogged them in their development from the academy. Chong and Gomes need to make decisions on contracts ASAP.— Samuel Luckhurst (@samuelluckhurst) December 12, 2019
Good to see Jimmy Garner in the XI today. Bright future ahead for the lad. #MUFC pic.twitter.com/eZtE07YysW
— United Xtra (@utdxtra) December 12, 2019
Plenty to be enthusiastic about with that line up. Let's hope for a good performance and some goals… Obviously. https://t.co/BawobzG4hj
— Paul Gardiner (@PaulGardinerMU) December 12, 2019
STARTING XI
Here we go, slight rotation. Disappointed to not see Laird start. Might as well get it won UTFR! 🇾🇪
Score predictions? We’re doing a watch along from 7.45pm – join us!
📺 https://t.co/YduxkBYUjb pic.twitter.com/aArDAxzZ51
— Stephen Howson 🇾🇪 (@MrStephenHowson) December 12, 2019
Teams are out for Utd v Alkmaar pic.twitter.com/kJ1qENrUct
— Rick The Red (@rickthereduk) December 12, 2019
