Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has made four changes to the staring eleven to face Norwich at Old Trafford this afternoon.
Harry Maguire returns to the side as captain after missing the derby on Tuesday with a hip problem, which wasn’t as serious an injury as many had first feared.
He continues his partnership with Victor Lindelof at the back; Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Brandon Williams retain their places a full-back in what is arguably Solskjaer’s best back four.
READ MORE: Solskjaer promises to rest Man Utd star despite hectic schedule and limited options
Anthony Martial starts up front after recovering from illness. He plays in a front three with the surprise inclusion of Juan Mata.
It appears Mata will start from the right-flank, with Andreas Pereira also in the team in midfield.
We would have preferred the Spaniard to be playing in Pereira’s number 10 role and provide the link between the midfield and attack. But it’s good to see him in the starting eleven after Jesse Lingard was ruled out.
Mata deserves in chance in the team with Solskjaer’s creative options few and far between.
United must win today against a Norwich side sat rock bottom in the table. Despite a poor run of form, United still sit in sixth place and will hope to close the gap on Chelsea in the Champions League places with victory.
See what United fans make of the team news:
Utd v Norwich team news is out. pic.twitter.com/i4Zwvy5xFH
— Rick The Red (@rickthereduk) January 11, 2020
Maguire fit enough to start. Williams retains place. Mata No 10. James rested. Needs a good start or atmosphere will get anxious. #mufc pic.twitter.com/2Ko1F4J8eP
— Laurie Whitwell (@lauriewhitwell) January 11, 2020
No young in the squad. Right decision. No lingard too. Could be off too
— 🎙⚽️Haider_ChatterCast (@HaiderMufc) January 11, 2020
It’s like Ole refuses to challenge senior players by trying Gomes or Garner (been injured/sick). Mata and Matić will always get picked ahead of them if available. Team dynamics are important but this was a good time to give Gomes a start. #MUNNOR
— Mark Owens (@OwenzyMUFC) January 11, 2020
Can’t understand that lineup. Norwich will probably stay compact at the back. So you need your forward players to make the pitch wider. A 4231 with both Pereira and Mata wanting to play in the center it’s not ideal. Would have prefered Greenwood instead of Pereira.#MUNMCI #mufc https://t.co/oy5SKAKNcw
— Alex MUFC 🇾🇪 (@AlexMUFC3) January 11, 2020
I'm not getting angry seeing Pereira and Mata start here. We've little other choice. James & Greenwood need a rest and Gomes & Chong might leave. Ole isn't exactly spoilt for choice. #mufc
— Shiven🔰 (@Shiven_MUFC) January 11, 2020
Fair. James rested, Young not in the match day squad & Mata & Pereira getting their last games before Bruno arrives a nice touch. Needs an early goal this. #MUFC https://t.co/SsUkoBmBHp
— Ryan Kenealy (@ryan_kenealy) January 11, 2020
Martial back yaaas
— One who watches 🔴🏴 (@alexiszyn) January 11, 2020
#MUFC XI vs Norwich…
De Gea; AWB, Lindelof, Maguire (c), Williams; Matic, Fred, Andreas; Mata, Rashford, Martial.
Hopefully it’s a 4-3-3, Matic has done well in that 6 role of late. James/Greenwood in for Mata would be my only change there. Come on Reds!
— Alex Turk (@AlexTurkRS) January 11, 2020
