Manchester United travel to Turin tonight hoping to take a big step towards qualification from the Champions League group stages. Juventus boss Massimiliano Allegri gave Jose Mourinho a footballing lesson last time out, but who will the United manager start? The RDA writers give their view.
Two weeks ago at Old Trafford, Juventus dominated Manchester United in one of the most impressive Champions League performances seen at the Theatre of Dreams.
Especially in the first half, Allegri’s side tore United apart. Paolo Dybala proved a real threat making runs in behind the midfield, catching Nemanja Matic off guard on countless occasions.
One man who is in terrific form and could help United deal with those late runs into the channels and into the box is Spanish midfielder, Ander Herrera. Whilst not starting recently, Herrera has reminded many fans why he won Player of the Year in 2017.
His energy and desire to win back the ball, in addition to his quality on it, makes him a threat both defensively and offensively.
Assuming Jose Mourinho plucks for a three-man midfield tonight, Herrera could slot in alongside Matic in order to give cover for Paul Pogba, who no doubt will want to venture forward and display all the flair and finesse that attracted Juventus to buy the midfielder off United six years ago.
Another interesting call will be who Mourinho decides to lead the line. Both Marcus Rashford and Alexis Sanchez were given spells in the number nine position in Saturday’s win over Bournemouth.
However, with the Manchester Derby on the horizon will Mourinho be tempted to rest one of them in order to retain their freshness for the trip to the Etihad on Sunday. Especially given there is still no update on when the “injured” Romelu Lukaku will return.
Ollie Slack
David De Gea
Antonio Valencia, Chris Smalling, Victor Lindelof, Luke Shaw
Fred, Ander Herrera, Paul Pogba
Alexis Sanchez, Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial
(433)
For me, the bigger game of the two this week is the Manchester Derby on Sunday, with United able to cut the gap to City to six points and possibly jump into the top five if other results go their way.
Nemanja Matic is another one who is long overdue a break. The Serbian has looked very fatigue of late and with Ander Herrera pressing for a starting spot, the change has to come now before he gets run ragged against City.
And finally, Marcus Rashford should lead the line ahead of Sanchez or Lukaku. Manchester United enjoyed their best spell against Bournemouth on Saturday after the 21-year old came off the bench and took up the number nine position from Sanchez.
Ali Akbar
David De Gea
Diogo Dalot, Chris Smalling, Victor Lindelof, Luke Shaw
Fred, Ander Herrera, Paul Pogba
Anthony Martial, Alexis Sanchez, Marcus Rashford
(433, False 9)
I’d like to see Diogo Dalot come in for Young as his crossing ability and athleticism make him more dangerous going forward. If the Portuguese can make it back from injury in time, then I’d love to see him come in.
Since Lukaku is injured, Sanchez should play as a false 9 up front, with Martial and Rashford either side of him looking to get goals by making runs in behind Juve’s defence.