Paul Pogba is set to miss out once again as Manchester United gear up to take on Arsenal in their first Premier League fixture of the year 2020.
Manchester United will be aiming to close down the gap to the top four in the Premier League table when they lock horns with arch rivals Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on New Year’s day. And Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side are once again likely to be without the services of midfield metronome Paul Pogba for the game.
Pogba returned from a three-month injury layoff to make substitute appearances against Watford and Newcastle United. But, the Frenchman did not make the matchday squad for the Red Devils’ away trip to Burnley last weekend.
Providing an update on Pogba after the game, manager Solskjaer had said, “When you’ve been out for such a while, it’s always going to take time to be 100 per cent. He just needed another day, probably, of recovery.” When quizzed if the Frenchman would be available for the Arsenal game, he said, “Yeah, I would think so.”
The boss has a positive update on @PaulPogba ahead of our New Year’s Day clash ?#MUFC #ARSMUN
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) December 31, 2019
However, as per latest reports, Pogba has not travelled with the rest of the squad to London, meaning he will not be involved on Wednesday. Scott McTominay and Axel Tuanzebe are also out with injuries, while Eric Bailly and Timothy Fosu-Mensah are still working their way back to full fitness.
There will be a couple of changes made to the Manchester United backline when they face Arsenal as Solskjaer is set to recall full-back duo Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Luke Shaw to the starting XI, after leaving the pair out for the Burnley clash. They will replace Ashley Young and Brandon Williams, respectively.
Victor Lindelof and Harry Maguire will continue to partner each other at the heart of the Manchester United defence, with David de Gea continuing in goal and looking for another clean sheet.
With Pogba not travelling and McTominay out, Solskjaer will be forced to continue with the pair of Fred and Nemanja Matic in the midfield double pivot against Arsenal. Jesse Lingard will be pushing for a start in the No. 10 role, but after Andreas Pereira’s impressive performance against Burnley, the Brazilian might get another go at the Emirates.
Mason Greenwood has impressed at every opportunity he has been given by Solskjaer. However, the manager is unlikely to tinker with the dangerous combination of Daniel James, Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial when Manchester United visit the Emirates.
Manchester United Predicted Lineup: de Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Maguire, Shaw; Fred, Matic; James, Pereira, Rashford; Martial
That squard is so good.