Donny van de Beek is in line to start his first Premier League game for Manchester United when they face off against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.
Manchester United will be aiming to bag all three points when they lock horns with former manager Jose Mourinho’s Tottenham Hotspur side at Old Trafford this weekend.
Heading into the game, Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has no new injury concerns. Captain Harry Maguire had missed the midweek Carabao Cup game with a knock, but has recovered completely and is available for selection, the manager has confirmed.
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Speaking of the centre-back in his pre-match press conference, Solskjaer said, “We have a Harry back there who is looking forward to that battle. Harry had a knock after the league the game, but he should be okay.” Phil Jones and Axel Tuanzebe remain sidelined, however.
With Maguire fit again, he should walk right back into the starting XI for the Tottenham clash. The Manchester United captain is usually partnered by Victor Lindelof in the league games. However, after back-to-back superlative performances in the cup ties, Eric Bailly should get the nod over the Swede on Sunday evening.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka ought to return at right-back, replacing Diogo Dalot, who is set to join AC Milan on a season-long loan. On the opposite flank, first-choice left-back Luke Shaw should come back into the team at the expense of promising youngster Brandon Williams. This back four will shield the returning David de Gea in goal.
Nemanja Matic is expected to occupy one of the two pivot positions in the middle of the park after sitting out the cup tie. Paul Pogba has been the manager’s preferred partner in midfield thus far.
However, the Frenchman has looked scratchy this season, which should pave the way for Solskjaer to hand new signing Donny van de Beek his first league start in the centre of the park. The Dutchman has been used as a No. 10 so far at United, but he is more than capable of performing in a double pivot.
There were concerns over the fitness of star playmaker Bruno Fernandes after he reportedly missed training earlier this week with a thigh issue. However, the Portuguese international is fit and available for selection and should slot in as the No. 10 for United.
Flanking him on the right and left sides should be academy graduates Mason Greenwood and Marcus Rashford, with Juan Mata and Daniel James making way, even though the former stole the show in midweek. Finally, Anthony Martial will spearhead the Manchester United attack and will look to prove a point against former boss Mourinho.
Manchester United Predicted XI: de Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Bailly, Maguire, Shaw; van de Beek, Matic; Greenwood, Fernandes, Rashford; Martial
