Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is currently preparing his Manchester United side to take-on bitter rivals Leeds United when the two enemies clash in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon.
United come into Sunday’s mouth-watering match-up in fine domestic form after winning six of their last six away fixtures.
The Reds will be hoping to close the gap on fierce rivals and league leaders, Liverpool, who sit in top-spot on 28-points whilst the Red Devils sit in sixth on 23-points, but do have a vital game in-hand.
Elsewhere, Marcelo Bielsa will be desperate to continue his Leeds United’s impressive start to the 2020-21 season which sees the Whites embark on their first campaign back in England’s top-flight for 16-years.
Ahead of Sunday’s hotly anticipated match-up, we have predicted how we expect Solskjaer to line his Reds up.
David De Gea
I expect the Spaniard to be recalled to the starting line-up.
Dean Henderson, who featured in between the sticks against his former side Sheffield United earlier this week did not enjoy his most commanding performance and I think, given the gruelling festive fixture list, Solskjaer will opt to reinstate his more experienced number-one.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka
It won’t be easy keeping Leeds United’s Jack Harrison quiet and given how Bielsa’s rapid Whites love playing on the counter-attack, I fully expect to see the defensive wall of Wan-Bissaka positioned in his usual right-back role.
Victor Lindelof
Enjoying one of his finest patches of form since he joined United, Lindelof is proving to be not only defensively capable, but the Swede is also showcasing some classy technical ability.
I fully expect Solskjaer to name his regular centre-back pairing of Lindelof and Maguire.
Harry Maguire
As above. I see no changes at the heart of United’s defence.
Alex Telles
Enjoyed a much improved performance mid-week against Sheffield United.
Although Luke Shaw is a competent replacement, I expect Telles to be tasked with causing Luke Ayling some problems.
Fred
Missed the mid-week match against Sheffield United but I do expect arguably United’s best player so far this season to be recalled to Solskjaer’s starting line-up.
Industrious and tireless – Fred will offer Solskjaer’s midfield some much needed balance when facing up against the likes of Mateusz Klich and Kalvin Phillips.
Scott McTominay
Similarly to Fred, United’s flying Scotsman did not start against Sheffield United but was introduced late-on.
I expect Solskjaer to rest Nemanja Matic and opt to bring in McTominay as a more mobile addition to the Reds’ midfield.
Paul Pogba
Enjoying a rich vein of form, a wonder goal against West Ham United followed up with superb performances against Man City and Sheffield United should be enough to see Solskjaer award his World Cup winner with another start on Sunday.
Bruno Fernandes
Assuming Fernandes does not pick up any late knocks, I cannot foresee the Portuguese midfielder being dropped for such an important match.
Marcus Rashford
Similarly to the majority of United’s attacking line, Rashford is also enjoying a patch of fine form.
A brace against the Blades earlier in the week should seal his name as one of the first ones to go on Solskjaer’s Sunday team-sheet.
Edinson Cavani
Team-mate Mason Greenwood did not enjoy his best night earlier in the week and after Solskjaer admitted that Cavani should be fit enough to be available to face Leeds United, I wouldn’t be surprised to see the South American lead the line on Sunday.
Read more: Preview: Solskjaer’s Manchester United must tighten up at the back against Leeds
Paul pogba should be replaced with mata
Greenwood should be replaced by cavani ,and Telles replace shaw