PREDICTED STARTING XI: Manchester United host Chelsea in season opener!
By Ollie Slack
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer takes on Frank Lampard at Old Trafford today as Manchester United host Chelsea in the Premier League. It’s the start of the 2019/20 season and the Norwegian’s first full season as boss, but who will he pick in his starting XI?
Ali Akbar
Regardless of what you think of our business in the transfer window, we can all agree that we’ve at least improved our defence massively.
I can’t wait to see Wan-Bissaka bombing down the right flank before putting in killer crosses and Maguire passing out the back in style.
Since this is a weak Chelsea side, a midfield two of McTominay and Pogba will suffice. This will allow us to play four forwards – who I’m hoping will cause mayhem at Old Trafford.
One of these front four should definitely be James, as although the new signing didn’t impress all that much in pre-season, he could come alive in the Premier League for United.
De Gea
Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Maguire, Shaw
McTominay, Pogba
James, Lingard, Martial
Rashford
Ollie Slack
One of the big positives from the summer transfer window was the United managed to keep hold of the world’s best goalkeeper David de Gea. Let’s hope he can forget how he finished last campaign and get off to a good start this time around.
Seeing Harry Maguire’s name in the back four next to Victor Lindelof fills you with a lot more confidence straight away. It looks like a back four capable of challenging for top four and beyond.
I believe Solskjaer will return to the 4-3-3 formation which worked so well for his team last season when he first arrived at the club back in December. Matic will start against his former club, as will Pogba and McTominay will come in to replace Ander Herrera after the Spaniard left for PSG.
Trending. MATCH PREVIEW - Manchester United vs Chelsea. light
The front three which were also so successful in Solskjaer’s early days as the interim boss was the combination of Lingard, Rashford and Martial. With the latter of those three reclaiming the number nine shirt, I think the Frenchman will start as United’s out-and-out striker with Rashford to one side. However, they will have the license to rotate.
De Gea
Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Maguire, Shaw
McTominay, Matic, Pogba
Lingard, Martial, Rashford