Paul Pogba is set to make his first start since regaining fitness when Manchester United host Sheffield United at Old Trafford on Wednesday.
Manchester United will be hoping to get back to winning ways this midweek as they lock horns with a sturdy Sheffield United side on Wednesday. It is going to be an exciting clash for the United fans as manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer isn’t expected to face any fresh injury concerns.
“Yeah. We don’t have any other injury issues. I think they all managed to get through the game. They were tired towards the end, some of them, but we’ve got another 90 minutes under our belt and we’re ready to go again,” the Norwegian told Stewart Gardner in the pre-game team update.
It does mean that we may see no changes in the defensive department, even though the likes of Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof struggled to perform against Tottenham Hotspur on Friday. Eric Bailly was introduced in the closing stages of the game, but he is unlikely to be given a start, having played very little football this year.
Elsewhere in defence, we could see Luke Shaw and Aaron Wan-Bissaka operating as the two full-backs, while David de Gea will retain his place in goal.
In the last game, Manchester United were perhaps lacking some support from their fans and it was evident in their performance. And despite this home fixture, playing in an empty Old Trafford could be a different experience for the player.
Solskjaer himself sounded rather optimistic, however, stating, “It’s a different way of playing and is a different mental challenge. It might be more relaxing for some but it’s very different. Maybe, when you’re at home and you’re struggling, you struggle with the home fans on your back. But we’ll miss out on the fans because I’ve never heard more supportive fans.”
Nonetheless, Manchester United certainly looked like a more accomplished side following the introduction of star player Paul Pogba. He, in fact, played a key role behind the club’s turnaround in the second half, notably winning the penalty that led to the equaliser.
The Frenchman is expected to get a starting berth in this fixture, at the expense of Fred, with Solskjaer likely to operate with a 4-3-3. It means Scott McTominay may start as the holding midfielder ahead of Nemanja Matic, while Pogba will be provided additional support by Bruno Fernandes in central midfield.
Going further forward, Solskjaer does have much more options. But, the Norwegian could retain his three-man setup, with Marcus Rashford and Daniel James operating from the flanks and Anthony Martial spearheading the offensive line. Odion Ighalo serves as an alternative for the Frenchman, who was pretty ineffective against Spurs. Mason Greenwood will be a backup option as well.
Manchester United Predicted XI: de Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Maguire, Shaw; Pogba, McTominay, Fernandes; James, Martial, Rashford
