Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has made three changes from the defeat to Crystal Palace ahead of today’s game away to Southampton.
The United boss was forced into two changes after Luke Shaw and Anthony Martial both sustained injury’s in last weekend’s game, with the pair ruled out until after the international break.
NEXT:(Watch) Angel Gomes scores with stunning solo effort for Man Utd U23’s
As expected, club captain Ashley Young makes a return to the starting eleven, replacing Luke Shaw at left-back.
Juan Mata and Andreas Pereira also start in place of Anthony Martial and Jesse Lingard.
It’s great to see another player get a chance in the attacking midfield role ahead of Lingard who has been underperforming for some time now, despite his endeavours in Solskjaer’s pressing game in defence.
While some Reds have welcomed Mata starting, many would have loved to see 17-year-old sensation Mason Greenwood get his chance to start his first competitive match of the season.
Many thought the youngster, recently called up to the England u21 squad for the European qualifiers, would be a natural replacement for Martial who has led the line so far for Solskjaer this season.
But Greenwood has to settle for a place on the bench on this occasion, and will look to make an impact when he comes on against a tiring Saints defence.
Greenwood is still extremely young and fans will have to be patient in waiting to see him starting regularly under Solskjaer.
See some fan reaction below:
STARTING XI;
No Greenwood is a little bit of a shock – it's more of the line up we wanted vs Palace tbh. Hoping for a little more quality on the ball today, and better chances inside the final 3rd. COME ON UNITED! #MUFC pic.twitter.com/7xChR1XBxP
— Ste Howson (@MrStephenHowson) August 31, 2019
Ole made a bold decision getting rid of so many players.
Mata played in his No. 10 role might just be a master stroke. He’s never really had a chance there.
However, playing Pereira on the wing is an odd one seeing as he isn’t renowned for his pace.
Want to see Greenwood ASAP.
— The United Stand (@UnitedStandMUFC) August 31, 2019
https://twitter.com/Bidhanganguly/status/1167757499837145088
https://twitter.com/AdiruDeen/status/1167756381169995777
https://twitter.com/bains_pav/status/1167753923123449860
I'll always get behind my team and I know Ole's under pressure after the last two games, but surely he needs to back his own words and play Mason Greenwood. He really should be starting today.
— Childish Nduna (@Galileo_86) August 31, 2019
https://twitter.com/PeterMcGovern/status/1167753525574688770
