SUGGESTED STARTING XI’s: Manchester United take on Everton with big name out!

Manchester United travel to Goodison Park this afternoon knowing a win for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men could take them momentarily into the top four. But after a disappointing loss to Barcelona in the week, who should the Norwegian pick to claim all three points today?

Ollie Slack

Manchester United’s back five picks itself this week. Despite David de Gea’s huge mistake on Tuesday night, there is no doubt he gets in the side. Ashley Young, who has worn the armband most frequently of late is not in the squad that travelled to Everton, so Diogo Dalot should start at right-back.

I was toing and froing when deciding today’s midfield. I’ve opted to leave out Paul Pogba for a number of reasons, the first of which is simple, he’s been in poor form recently.

The second is a tactical call, as I believe Everton may sit deep and a player like Juan Mata can pick intricate passes and find pockets of space really well.

Finally, Solskjaer has talked all week about having the right attitude to play for a club like Manchester United. Not starting Pogba could give him the kick he needs in order to start performing again. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be surprised to see him elsewhere this summer.

Romelu Lukaku is very unlucky not to make it into my XI given his bright cameo in the week at the Nou Camp. However, with Everton potentially sitting in and making it difficult for Solskjaer’s men, you need players who have great control and quick feet to work the tight space.

David de Gea

Diogo Dalot, Chris Smalling, Victor Lindelof, Matteo Darmian

Fred, Scott McTominay

Juan Mata, Jesse Lingard, Alexis Sanchez

Marcus Rashford

Ali Akbar

Solskjaer publicly criticised the players after the Barcelona defeat and rightly so – but he needs to take some responsibility as well by dropping players who aren’t performing.

Young doesn’t deserve to be a starter for United let alone captain, so Dalot should take his place at right-back and with Darmian the only other suitable left-back in the squad, he should replace the suspended Shaw.

Pogba has been woeful these past few games, and as punishment, deserves to be benched in favour of Pereira – who will work much harder for the team.

Martial and Lingard were both invisible against Barcelona but Sanchez and Lukaku looked sharp and lively when they came off the bench – so they deserve to start this time around.

David de Gea

Diogo Dalot, Chris Smalling, Victor Lindelof, Matteo Darmian

Scott McTominay, Fred, Andreas Pereira

Marcus Rashford, Romelu Lukaku, Alexis Sanchez