Eric Bailly and Bruno Fernandes could return while Scott McTominay will be in contention to feature when Manchester United face Watford on Sunday.
Manchester United will be eager to claw their way back into the Champions League places when they play hosts to Watford at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon. A win against the relegation battlers will propel the Red Devils to fifth place on the Premier League table.
With neighbours Manchester City handed a two-year European ban, claiming three points would mean Manchester United will effectively be in a position to automatically qualify for the Champions League. And, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has no fresh injury concerns to deal with ahead of the Watford game.
After making a few rotations in the 1-1 draw with Club Brugge in the Europa League, some of the regulars ought to return. The first of these changes will see David de Gea return in goal, replacing Sergio Romero. Solskjaer should continue persisting with the 3-4-2-1 formation that has paved the way for fluid football.
The back three should see one shuffle, with Eric Bailly coming in for Victor Lindelof. Bailly ought to have Luke Shaw and Manchester United captain Harry Maguire for company in the three-man central defensive unit against Watford.
Diogo Dalot failed to impress in the European fixture and will make way for Aaron Wan-Bissaka. On the opposite flank, Brandon Williams should keep his place despite an underwhelming display in the midweek. As for midfield, there is some good news, with Scott McTominay in contention to feature.
During his pre-match press conference, held in the aftermath of the Brugge stalemate, Solskjaer provided an update on McTominay. The Manchester United manager said, “I think he might be in the squad [to take on Watford]. Scott had a rest day today, so let’s see how he is tomorrow.”
“I’m not surprised [he’s back so soon] because that’s the type he is. He’s a physical specimen, he’s a leader. He never shirks a tackle and he brings everyone with him. He can sit with Nemanja [Matic] and Fred or he could be one of the runners in midfield.”
McTominay, though, might not be fit enough to start just yet, meaning Matic and Fred should partner up in the middle of the park, looking to stifle their Watford counterparts. The duo will feed Bruno Fernandes, who will be one of the two attacking midfielders.
Fernandes will play off central striker Anthony Martial, with Daniel James completing the three-pronged attacking unit. Ex-Watford striker Odion Ighalo will, thus, have to continue waiting for his full Manchester United debut and is unlikely to start against his former side.
Manchester United Predicted XI: de Gea; Bailly, Maguire, Shaw; Wan-Bissaka, Fred, Matic, Williams; James, Fernandes; Martial
