Paul Pogba could return to action while James Garner is in line to make his full debut when Manchester United host Rochdale at Old Trafford in the Carabao Cup.
Manchester United will begin their quest for their sixth League Cup triumph when they welcome League One side Rochdale to Old Trafford for a Carabao Cup Third Round tie. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, though, continues to be bogged down by injuries to key personnel.
There are no worries in the goalkeeping department, however. And, as has been customary in cup competitions for quite some time, Sergio Romero should take his place in goal for Manchester United, with David de Gea being rested altogether.
Luke Shaw continues to remain sidelined with the hamstring injury he had picked up last month. With Ashley Young likely to be rested for the visit of Arsenal in the Premier League this weekend, Marcos Rojo should get the nod on the left side of the Manchester United defence against Rochdale.
On the opposite flank, Diogo Dalot should get a chance to impress once again, while Axel Tuanzebe and Phil Jones will form the central defensive partnership once again. The good news, meanwhile, is that Paul Pogba is set to return after being laid low with an ankle injury ahead of this month’s international break.
Solskjaer has confirmed that the Frenchman is fit again and is likely to feature against Rochdale. The Manchester United boss said, “He’ll probably get some minutes against Rochdale. But we definitely think he’s ready for Arsenal.”
Judging by Solskjaer’s comments, it appears as if Pogba will be a second half substitute, with the appearance serving as a way for him to regain sharpness. With Pogba unlikely to start, Fred, who is expected to return to the lineup after impressing against Astana last week, might have James Garner as his partner in the double pivot.
Garner will thus, become yet another Manchester United academy graduate to make his full debut under Solskjaer’s tutelage, following in the footsteps of Tahith Chong, Angel Gomes and Mason Greenwood, all of whom should start against Rochdale as well.
While Chong and Gomes appear to be certainties in the starting lineup, Greenwood has been a concern over the weekend due to tonsillitis. But, Solskjaer hinted post Manchester United’s defeat to West Ham United that the teenage prodigy could be in contention.
If ready, Greenwood will lead the line for Manchester United against Rochdale, with Marcus Rashford the latest player to be left unavailable, due to a groin injury sustained this past weekend. Jesse Lingard should complete the numbers for the hosts and might even start as a makeshift striker, if Greenwood is not fit to start.
Predicted Manchester United XI: Romero; Dalot, Tuanzebe, Jones, Rojo; Fred, Garner; Lingard, Gomes, Chong; Greenwood
