STARTING XI: Our writers pick their Manchester United team to play Huddersfield

Manchester United travel to Huddersfield Town today in hope that they can try to cling on to hopes of a top-four spot heading into the last set of fixtures this season next week. But, with injuries and form under the spotlight, who will Ole Gunnar Solskjaer pick in his starting XI?

Ollie Slack

I don’t think should drop David de Gea this afternoon and I don’t believe Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will either. The United shot-stopped already looks low on confidence after his recent poor displays and leaving him out of the starting XI would shatter what is left.

With Chris Smalling back in the squad, he should return to partner Victor Lindelof in the middle of the defence in order to revive Manchester United’s best current centre-back pairing. And in my view, Diogo Dalot deserves another chance at right-back against a Huddersfield side who have nothing to play for now they have been relegated.

United’s midfield three were very good against Chelsea and therefore should all start again. However, like I’ve said before if Ander Herrera is to leave the club at the end of the season, he shouldn’t be playing now. Scott McTominay has done nothing wrong to lose his place in the side and I wouldn’t mind seeing him start either.

It’s great to see Tahith Chong, Angel Gomes and James Garner in the travelling squad to Huddersfield and let’s hope they get some minutes on the pitch. My starting front three would be Marcus Rashford, Alexis Sanchez with Juan Mata, who played very well against his former club Chelsea, in the false nine/number 10 role.

David de Gea

Diogo Dalot, Chris Smalling, Victor Lindelof, Luke Shaw

Ander Herrera, Nemanja Matic, Paul Pogba

Juan Mata

Marcus Rashford, Alexis Sanchez

Ali Akbar

There have been talks about De Gea potentially being dropped from the starting XI, but this would be ludicrous. He is still one of the best goalkeepers in the world and we should stick by him so that he can quickly regain his confidence.

The midfield three of Herrera, Matic and Pogba played well against Chelsea, so I’m hoping that they’ll continue to play at the same tempo against Huddersfield.

Finally playing in his preferred position, Mata was excellent against the Blues and deserves to keep his place at attacking midfield. However, he won’t have the stamina to play for the full 90 minutes, so hopefully, he’ll make an impact early on.

Sanchez deserves an opportunity to play in his preferred position as well at centre-forward, and he could end up being the ideal strike partner for Lukaku, as long as the Belgian is fit.

David de Gea

Ashley Young, Victor Lindelof, Marcos Rojo, Luke Shaw

Ander Herrera, Nemanja Matic, Paul Pogba

Juan Mata

Romelu Lukaku, Alexis Sanchez