Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is likely to face one of the toughest tasks of his short tenure at the club so far against Leicester City this afternoon (Saturday). But, with a number of players missing the match through injury, who will the Norwegian pick in his starting XI?
One thing is for sure, United need a win. If they are to be successful, they could leap above the Foxes in the table, but both would remain on eight points. Anything but and you feel pressure will be starting to build on the officials at the club with just one win in their opening five games to the season.
Ollie Slack
Let’s hope the rumours circulating about David de Gea’s new bumper contract at the club doesn’t distract him from doing his job properly – trying to keep a rare clean sheet for the team.
Aaron Wan Bissaka is believed to be included in the squad for the match despite an injury scare, therefore, he starts for me. As does Victor Lindelof, Harry Maguire and Ashley Young.
Brendan Rodgers is a smart coach and I think he will let United have a lot of the ball, waiting to hit Solskjaer’s side on the break. Therefore, if the Foxes sit deep, Mata will be needed to unlock the defence.
Next up, it’s the two wingers either side of the Spanish playmaker and there is no doubting who one of them will be. Dan James has made a magnificent start to life at Old Trafford, scoring four goals in six games for club and country since signing for the club. He’s a guaranteed starter!
The other winger has to be Mason Greenwood. He is the next best fit, considering minutes and experience under his belt from preseason and the start of this campaign.
Marcus Rashford starts in the number nine position again, the 21-year old looked lively for England over the past few days. Anthony Martial is also injured.
De Gea
Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Maguire, Young
McTominay, Matic
Greenwood, Mata, James
Rashford
United’s injury crisis means that we could see the unthinkable become a reality – Rojo at left-back. Let’s just hope the Argentine stays on the pitch this time if he gets a run-out.
With Pogba injured, Fred might finally get a chance to start in midfield, making this is the perfect opportunity for the Brazilian to prove his worth to his manager.
Although Solskjaer will likely pick Pereira to play alongside him, I’d urge him to give Gomes a chance instead, as the youngster deserves more minutes with the first team.
With Martial still out, I’d keep Rashford down the middle and bring Chong into the fold as a right-winger, with Greenwood as an option from the bench.
De Gea
Young, Lindelof, Maguire, Rojo
Fred, McTominay, Gomes
Chong, Rashford, James