Jose Mourinho has reinstated Paul Pogba and Anthony Martial into the starting eleven as Manchester United take on Newcastle United.
Jose Mourinho has gone with the pairing of Chris Smalling and Phil Jones at the centre of defence, with Antonio Valencia and Ashley Young on either side of the Englishmen. In midfield, Paul Pogba returns to the fold, as does Anthony Martial, with Juan Mata and Scott McTominay making way.
The team news is in! Here’s your #MUFC starting XI for #NEWMUN this afternoon… pic.twitter.com/bWXVfKrqTc
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) February 11, 2018
One interesting thing is the presence of four attackers – Martial, Lingard, Lukaku, Alexis – in the starting lineup, which might suggest a 4-2-3-1 formation. If it is a 4-2-3-1, it will be interesting to see how Pogba plays in the more reserved role as the pivot besides Nemanja Matic, a role many have pointed out to be stifling the Frenchman’s creative output.
