Predicted Manchester United lineup against Wolves: Sancho, Varane to start; Greenwood as No. 9

Manchester United might agree to loan out Jadon Sancho in January.

Jadon Sancho has flopped at Manchester United. (Photo by Martin Rose/Bongarts/Getty Images)

Jadon Sancho and Raphael Varane are in line to start, while Mason Greenwood should slot in as the No. 9 when Manchester United take on Wolves.

Manchester United will be aiming to get back to winning ways and go into the international break on a high when they face off against Wolves at the Molineux on Sunday evening.

Heading into the game, Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has a fresh injury concern as Scott McTominay has been ruled out after undergoing surgery earlier in the week. The Red Devils will also be without three other players for the contest as Marcus Rashford, Alex Telles, and Dean Henderson remain unavailable for the trip to West Midlands.

Speaking ahead of the game (h/t ManUtd.com), Solskjaer said: “We’re still missing Scott, who had surgery this week. Marcus, Alex, Dean Henderson, they’re not ready. But, apart from that, we have a fit squad ready to fight for points.”

With Henderson still not ready to return after recovering from coronavirus, David de Gea becomes the undisputed starter in goal for the 20-time English champions in goal. With not many options at his disposal, Solskjaer has to go in with Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Luke Shaw as the two full-backs on the right and left sides, respectively.

At the heart of the Manchester United defence, though, there could be a major change with blockbuster signing Raphael Varane in line to make his debut for the Red Devils against Wolves. The Frenchman ought to come into the side at the expense of Victor Lindelof to partner club captain Harry Maguire.

With McTominay out, there is a spot up for grabs in the middle of the park. However, given Solskjaer’s reluctance to use Donny van de Beek and Nemanja Matic’s decline, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Fred retain his spot in the side despite a poor game against Southampton last time out. He will be partnered by Paul Pogba, who will drop into a deeper role in midfield after starting on the left in the first couple of games.

The vacant spot on the left flank could be taken up by Jesse Lingard, who had impressed in pre-season before contracting coronavirus and would add something different to the Manchester United attack. Bruno Fernandes, meanwhile, remains the undisputed starter as the No. 10 for the Red Devils.

On the right flank, there could very well be a full debut for summer signing Jadon Sancho. The England international has featured from the bench in the last couple of matches but should feature from the off against Wolves. This would allow Mason Greenwood to move into the No. 9 role on Sunday, at the expense of Anthony Martial, who was ineffective in the draw against Southampton.

Manchester United Predicted XI: de Gea, Wan-Bissaka, Varane, Maguire, Shaw, Fred, Pogba, Sancho, Fernandes, Lingard, Greenwood.

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