Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will likely retain Axel Tuanzebe and Alex Telles from the PSG win as Manchester United take on RB Leipzig in the UEFA Champions League.
Much has been made of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s magical Paris nights. But, another test awaits Manchester United in the Champions League as Group H sees the clash of two teams, who started Matchday 1 with a win. Ole, though, will be boosted by the availability of almost everyone as he welcomes Julian Nagelsmann & co. to Old Trafford.
David de Gea has been performing at an optimal level lately and is likely to keep his place over Dean Henderson. Ole will revert to a back three after a lacklustre 0-0 draw against Chelsea over the weekend. A three-man backline mostly means Luke Shaw will be the left centre-back, having impressed in the relatively new position.
Victor Lindelof is likely to be rewarded for his form with another start, with Axel Tuanzebe, the hero at PSG, likely to replace Harry Maguire in the starting eleven for the Leipzig match. Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Alex Telles are likely to fulfil the wing-back role on either side for Manchester United.
There have been a lot of talk among the press and pundits about Donny van de Beek and Ole put it all to bed in the pre-match conference while addressing the depth Manchester United now possess in the midfield department.
“It’s going to be a long season. Of course, the depth of our squad is better now. It’s hard to leave players out like the last game with Donny, Nemanja and Paul to start on the bench, as midfielders they are all experienced international footballers.”
“It’s not easy but then, as I’ve said, we have so many games this season, they are all going to play a big, massive part in different periods of the season. I don’t think anyone is able to play all of them.”
Fred and Scott McTominay have been preferred by Ole in order to provide more structure to his tactical gameplan, with Paul Pogba and Donny van de Beek acting more as game changers in the second half. Bruno Fernandes should retain his place in the hole, with Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial upfront.
Edinson Cavani is also fit and could be an option instead of Martial. However, the French international’s domestic suspension is likely to see him start on Wednesday, with Cavani the go-to striker during the weekend.
Manchester United Predicted XI: de Gea; Lindelof, Tuanzebe, Shaw; Wan-Bissaka, Fred, McTominay, Telles; Fernandes; Martial, Rashford