Manchester United are preparing to go head-to-head with Leicester City this Sunday in what is as close to a Champions League play-off the Premier League has ever seen.
With the Reds needing to avoid defeat to secure Champions League football next season and Leicester City desperate to bag all three points, the league’s conclusion is set for fireworks.
Ahead of the weekend’s crucial game, we have taken a look at how we expect to see manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer set his side up.
David De Gea
Despite much speculation surrounding his possible inclusion in United’s last outing against West Ham United, manager Solskjaer opted to keep the faith in his number one; a clear signal the Spaniard won’t be dropped for the final day.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka
Having started on the bench in United’s last outing and coming on to have a thoroughly impressive second-half, I fully expect to see ‘the spider’ return for Sunday’s crucial game.
Victor Lindelof
After Solskjaer ruled out centre-back duo Phil Jones and Axel Tuanzebe in Friday morning’s press conference, I do not expect to see a change in the centre-back pairing of Victor Lindelof and Harry Maguire.
Harry Maguire
No changes at the heart of United’s defence for me. Lindelof and club captain Maguire both to start, again.
Luke Shaw
After Solskjaer failed to give an update on his first choice left-back’s current state in Friday’s press conference, this could well be a hidden indication that fans may well get to see Shaw return just in time for the league’s conclusion.
Nemanja Matic
After enduring a decent run of form since the league’s restart, I see no reason why Solskjaer would fail to start his preferred defensive midfielder in what is arguably Solskjaer’s most important match to date.
Paul Pogba
What better time to put his handball howler to the back of fan’s minds by putting in a world-class performance in his side’s most crucial domestic tie in recent history. I fully expect to see a hungry and fully focused Pogba start for United on Sunday.
Bruno Fernandes
Fernandes’ manager issued some high praise for his Portuguese midfielder in Friday’s press conference, saying “The belief, confidence, change of atmosphere, Bruno coming in has made a massive difference.” (as quoted by Manchester Evening News).
I do not expect to see the creative attacker be benched until United’s next Europa League tie against LASK on Aug 5.
Mason Greenwood
Undroppable. That is all.
Anthony Martial
Having failed to net in his side’s last outing, the French number nine will be keen to get back on the scoreboard in what will be his last chance to add to his already impressive domestic tally. No doubt Martial starts ahead of Ighalo in Sunday’s game.
Marcus Rashford
Didn’t have his best game to date last time around against David Moyes’ West Ham, but make no mistake, Rashford is held in high regard by manager Solskjaer. Assuming no freak injury between now and Sunday, similarly to Martial, I fully expect to see Rashford line-up on the left of United’s explosive attacking trio.
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