Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has sprung a surprise by naming both Paul Pogba and Donny van de Beek in his Manchester United lineup to face Leicester in the FA Cup quarter-final.
United can return to Wembley for their second FA Cup semi-final under Solskjaer with victory today, but it will be a tough task at the King Power against a side just one point behind the Reds in the Premier League.
Anyhow, Solskjaer has somewhat experimented with his starting XI, with Van de Beek, Pogba, Alex Telles and Anthony Martial all getting the nod this evening.
Van de Beek has not featured for the Reds since a substitute cameo in the 1-1 league draw against West Brom last month but is given a rare chance to impress.
Pogba was the match winner on Thursday against AC Milan and makes his first start in six weeks, with Bruno Fernandes dropping to the bench.
Van de Beek could start in Fernandes’ usual position with Pogba operating from the left, unless Solskjaer opts for the less familiar diamond formation.
Telles replaces in-form Luke Shaw at left-back and Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof and Aaron Wan-Bissaka all retain their places in defence.
A strong United bench includes Fernandes, Edinson Cavani and Amad.
Some United fans on social media are excited to see Van de Beek get his chance at the King Power.
Man Utd XI to face Leicester: Henderson, Wan-Bissaka, Maguire, Lindelof, Telles, Matic, Fred, van de Beek, Pogba, Greenwood, Martial.
🚨 𝐓𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐲'𝐬 𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐦 𝐧𝐞𝐰𝐬 🚨
Here's your #MUFC XI to face the Foxes 🦊
🏆 #FACup
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) March 21, 2021
I cant believe van de beek is finally starting 😍 Good Luck Donny a goal is needed tonight 🇳🇱⚽ @Donny_beek6
— Yash (fan account) (@VanDeBeek34) March 21, 2021
Van de Beek has now started all four rounds of United's FA Cup run so far
Great chance for him today 👏
— Dan Coombs (@DanCFootball) March 21, 2021
The XI:
I think it’ll be a 4-2-3-1 but have drawn it up as a diamond, too, just in case. pic.twitter.com/gWdAv5ULBB
— UtdArena (@utdarena) March 21, 2021
Donny Van de Beek is starting a football match?
Shaw and Bruno rested and hopefully we won't need to bring them off the bench.
Hopefully Amad gets game time later.This is our only chance for us to stop City winning the treble, COME ON UNITED 🔴 https://t.co/XKR8Bq55n1
— • (@UTDSancho7) March 21, 2021
Pogba and Van De Beek ✅
Greenwood ✅
Telles ✅Very good. #MUFC https://t.co/LjjnxKTrBS
— James (@JamesHooper__) March 21, 2021
Big opportunity for Van de Beek. https://t.co/FyD3vOUExM
— Andrew Ryan (@Andrew_Ryan19) March 21, 2021
READ MORE: Leicester City dealt injury blow ahead of FA Cup quarter-final v Man Utd
No ERIC BAILLY again, Ole really doesnt like him does he?maybe the rumours are true about Eric and Ole,after all Victor makes more mistakes than Eric.Time for Donny to have a good game,he MUST do something to remind us he played for AJAX,with key players out we need to punish a still dangerous Leicester.