Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has made some key changes to his Manchester United lineup to face Aston Villa in the Premier League at Old Trafford.
United can move level on points with leaders Liverpool with victory over Dean Smith’s in-form side in their first game in 2021.
And Solskjaer appears to have sprung a surprise in his formation by reverting to a diamond midfield.
Paul Pogba, Fred, Scott McTominay and Bruno Fernandes all start in what we presume is a midfield quartet with indispensable Fernandes at the apex supporting Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford up front.
Martial returns to lead the line after Edinson Cavani was banned for three games for an Instagram post that was seen as offensive in some contexts, as per the BBC.
Alternatively, Pogba could take up an unfamiliar position on the left-flank in a triple-pronged attack with Rashford on the right.
Meanwhile, Eric Bailly retains his place in central defence alongside skipper Harry Maguire after a man-of-the-match showing against Wolves.
Luke Shaw returns to left-back ahead of Alex Telles after coming on for the Brazilian at half-time in Tuesday’s victory.
Solskjaer also has a strong bench at his disposal with Donny van de Beek, Daniel James, Mason Greenwood and Juan Mata all available reinforcements.
See the team news in full below, courtesy of United’s official twitter account:
🚨 Here it is: our first starting line-up of 2021!
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) January 1, 2021
Diamond midfield for United, or Pogba/Fernandes on the left? Seen Pogba out in that role during games a couple of times recently #mufc
— Tyrone Marshall (@TyMarshall_MEN) January 1, 2021
Solid lineup, but I hope it's not a diamond- Fred at the base of a diamond with McTominay and Pogba flanking caused huge structural issues in buildup against Arsenal https://t.co/A91lljC67S
— Aaron Moniz (@amonizfootball) January 1, 2021
#mufc XI to face Aston Villa #mulive [mutv] pic.twitter.com/QtBiiCJbG6
— utdreport (@utdreport) January 1, 2021
Don't mind this, though could see Fred Sauce as a two, Pogba left and Rashford right.
Wherever they play, win is the important thing.
Great to see Bailly getting a run too. https://t.co/1aBTEvdTTB
— Scott Saunders (@_scottsaunders) January 1, 2021
What are your thoughts on the team for tonight?!
Here's what @ronaldobrown_98 and @MrStephenHowson think!
Tune in here; https://t.co/6yHcd3BPON pic.twitter.com/OyjYJrNRji
— Stretford Paddock (@StretfordPaddck) January 1, 2021
Looks like the diamond set-up – Pogba LCM with Bruno in the pocket.
McTominay, AWB and Fred forming a triangle down the right to try and counteract Grealish. #mufc
— JoshGI 🇾🇪 (@JoshGI97) January 1, 2021
Looks like 4-2-3-1 for #MUFC with Pogba on left of three. Solskjaer specific after Man City game that was system he played, rather than diamond.
De Gea; AWB, Bailly, Maguire, Shaw; Fred, McTominay; Rashford, Fernandes, Pogba; Martial
Match discussion 👇🏻https://t.co/MX582WyDyK
— Laurie Whitwell (@lauriewhitwell) January 1, 2021
Interesting to see Fred, McTominay, Pogba and Fernandes all start tonight. Midfield diamond or Pogba off the left, Rashford off the right? A lot of possibilities. #MUFC
— Matthew Law (@MLAW290) January 1, 2021
Looks to be a diamond, possibly Pogba on the left with McT/Fred at the base/on the right.
I wouldn’t be surprised if it was a 4231 thought with Pogba playing off the left.
Bailly starting for the 4th straight game is great for his confidence. Big 3 points needed 🔴 #MUFC https://t.co/Hfulruzf5R
— Haider Rubbani 🇾🇪🎙⚽️ (@Haider_Rubbani) January 1, 2021
READ MORE: Jack Grealish hailed by Manchester United star ahead of Premier League meeting
This is Aston Villa mate
One one hung over 😅