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SUGGESTED XIs: Manchester United host Astana in opening Europa League tie

By Ollie Slack

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Manchester United host Astana in their first Europa League match of the season tonight. Will Ole Gunnar Solskjaer bring in some young faces for the tie? Our writers pick the starting XI’s they would select.

Ollie Slack

The Europa League presents Ole Gunnar Solskjaer with an opportunity to rotate his team, however, he cannot take the competition lightly as it also presents him with a great chance of getting into the Champions League.

Sergio Romero should come into the XI for David de Gea. The majority of the Argentine’s minutes for United have come in the cup competitions and I expect him to play a big part in this season’s Europa League campaign too.

Diogo Dalot is someone who has to play in the Europa League this season. Signed last summer, with a view to the future, any chance of a regular starting spot in the Premier League has been taken by Aaron Wan-Bissaka. But, for his development, the Portuguese youngster needs to play games of football despite still only being 20.
Diogo Dalot is someone who has to play in the Europa League this season. Signed last summer, with a view to the future, any chance of a regular starting spot in the Premier League has been taken by Aaron Wan-Bissaka. But, for his development, the Portuguese youngster needs to play games of football despite still only being 20. /

Axel Tuanzebe alongside Harry Maguire and Marcos Rojo complete a back line with a mix of youth and experience.

Similarly, in midfield, Solskjaer can use this match as an opportunity to blood some youth. Angel Gomes and Tahith Chong get starts in my XI as does Juan Mata, in order to provide that balance.

Marcus Rashford starts up top and should get a few chances to hopefully add to his goal tally for the 2019/20 campaign.

Romero

Dalot, Tuanzebe, Maguire, Rojo

Fred, McTominay

Mata, Gomes, Chong

Rashford

Ali Akbar

With difficult games against West Ham United at the weekend and Arsenal the week after, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer should rest as many first-team players as possible against Astana.

David de Gea, Victor Lindelof, Harry Maguire, Scott McTominay and Marcus Rashford should all stay well clear of any starting XI outside of Premier League fixtures, as our squad is already too thin and we can’t risk any more injuries.

Axel Tuanzebe deserves a shout at centre-back, as gaining minutes now will prepare him in case we get an injury to Lindelof or Maguire later in the season.

Tahith Chong, Angel Gomes and Mason Greenwood have been handed appearances here and there by Solskjaer, but now that we’re in the Europa League, the manager will hopefully start them more often against lowly opposition.

Romero

Young, Jones, Tuanzebe, Rojo

Fred, Pereira

Chong, Gomes, James

Greenwood

Next. Why David de Gea does not yet deserve a new contract at Manchester United!. dark

Do you think we have made the right selections? Let us know your starting XI’s in the comments below or on social media @RedDevilArmada1.

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