Manchester United’s gruelling fixture schedule shows no signs of slowing down.
Despite playing against Aston Villa on Sunday afternoon, the Red Devils are already set to host Leicester City in the Premier League on Tuesday night.
With Tuesday’s top-four clash the second of four fixtures in the space of nine days for United, manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will undoubtedly be forced into making some squad rotations.
Ahead of the exciting tie and with United now successfully securing Champions League next season, we have predicted how we expect the Red Devils to line up.
Man United predicted starting line-up: Dean Henderson, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Victor Lindelof, Eric Bailly, Luke Shaw, Fred, Paul Pogba, Bruno Fernandes, Marcus Rashford, Edinson Cavani, Mason Greenwood.
Although it wouldn’t be surprising to see David De Gea recalled to the lineup, Solskjaer continues to make it clear that Henderson is his preferred domestic keeper, therefore, resting De Gea ahead of the Europa League final later this month would be the obvious choice.
In addition to Henderson, following an untimely injury to captain Harry Maguire during Sunday’s match against Aston Villa, I would expect Solskjaer to name his usual back four with the exception of Bailly coming in, in place of the skipper.
Elsewhere, I expect Solskjaer to revert back to a familiar 4-3-3 formation, with a midfield comprising of Fred, Pogba and top goalscorer Fernandes.
In attack, last weekend’s substitution hero Cavani can probably expect a start alongside young wide attackers Rashford and the club’s new record-setter, Greenwood.
Worth noting though – having failed to make Solskjaer’s bench last weekend and with the club now mathematically certain to finish inside the league’s top-four, I fully expect fans to be treated to a showing from exciting winger Amad.
It is unlikely the young attacker will start though, but I do expect to see him introduced at some stage.
Read more: Bayern Munich join race for Sancho but Englishman already has preferred destination
This is quite a strong starting line-up. Are we still allowed 5 substitutes, even if we are we may still be risking injury to our players. Cavani may start because he didn’t against Villa, but I doubt that he would be joined by Rashford and Greenwood, who may play off the bench. Diallo and van der Beek could play in their positions, or Dan James starts and is replaced by Diallo later. I am uncertain if he risks Pogba, he is too important especially for the Europa final. Is Mctominay still injured?