Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has sprung plenty of surprises in his Manchester United line-up to face West Ham at the London Stadium.
Dean Henderson makes his first Premier League start for United in place of David de Gea who has been omitted from the squad entirely.
Solskjaer has opted for the same back four that started against Southampton and Paris Saint-Germain, with Alex Telles aiming to establish himself as United’s first-choice left-back.
Meanwhile, there’s changes in midfield as Paul Pogba returns to the starting XI in what appears to be a double midfield pivot with Scott McTominay.
The indispensable Bruno Fernandes drops to the bench with Donny van de Beek getting his chance in an attacking midfield role.
Anthony Martial and Mason Greenwood support Edinson Cavani in a dangerous front three with Marcus Rashford joining Fernandes on the bench.
Solskjaer clearly has one eye on Tuesday’s deciding Champions League fixture away to RB Leipzig with his line-up against the Hammers.
But there is more than enough attacking quality for the Reds to secure their ninth consecutive Premier League away win.
Victory for the Reds would move them into the top four for the first time this season, albeit temporarily with Wolves, Southampton and Leicester City still to play this weekend.
See the team news in full, via the official club twitter account:
🚨 Presenting: your United XI to take on the Hammers! 🚨
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) December 5, 2020
Seeing McTominay on an #MUFC team sheet at West Ham away will never not remind me of Jose utilising Scott as a centre half to send a message to the board lol
— Jonathan Shrager (@JonathanShrager) December 5, 2020
– McTominay is a tactical choice because of Soucek & Haller
– Good to see Rashford finally not played through injury
– Martial/Pogba need goals https://t.co/7l5nGnmBLS— Aaron Moniz (@amonizfootball) December 5, 2020
Interesting team selection but I don't mind a lot of it! We need to learn to cope without Bruno here and there no problem with that! VDB more than capable. Weird that Fred isn't even in the squad unless injured and good to see Pogba get a start. Big game for him. LETS GO!!!
— 🔰 Flex 🔰 (@FlexUTD) December 5, 2020
Bruno benched – good call he deserves a rest. Rashford rested too which is great.
Nice to see Henderson get a start. VDB & Pogba in midfield is something I really way to see.
Exciting lineup #MUFC pic.twitter.com/uvT9TD7eRa
— Haider Rubbani 🇾🇪🎙⚽️ (@Haider_Rubbani) December 5, 2020
Good to see Fernandes and Rashford are given some rest. Hope we won’t need them to come on.
— TN (@ReturnToWorkFFS) December 5, 2020
More confident now Henderson is starting, long overdue, Pogba will be looking to put in a shift the day.
— Andrew J. Naismith (@Gonk83) December 5, 2020
🚨 TEAM NEWS 🚨
What a lineup again from Ole, looks like he's going for it. Hopefully we can take our chances with both Greenwood and Cavani. Henderson makes his first Prem start for us 💪
Big game, could move into the Top 4 with a win 🇾🇪 #MUFC pic.twitter.com/ZC8uTMY1qf
— Stretford Paddock (@StretfordPaddck) December 5, 2020
READ MORE: (Video) TalkSPORT pundit explains why Solskjaer must start Edinson Cavani
