Paul Pogba is set to return while Marcus Rashford could replace Edinson Cavani when Manchester United face Atalanta in the UEFA Champions League.
Manchester United will be raring to make it two wins in two games when they lock horns with Serie A giants Atalanta in their fourth group game of the 2021/22 UEFA Champions League on Tuesday night.
Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will be boosted by the availability of midfielder Paul Pogba after he missed the weekend clash against Tottenham Hotspur due to suspension. Speaking of the team news to the club’s official media, the Norwegian said, “We want everyone to be raring to go and they are. I think with Paul coming back in, we’ve got another option there to give them problems.”
Atalanta vs Manchester United Preview: Probable Lineups, Prediction, Tactics, Team News & Key Stats
However, Manchester United will have to make do without Victor Lindelof for the trip to Bergamo, as the Swede picked up a training injury on Monday. That will lead to an enforced change in defence for the Red Devils, with Eric Bailly expected to step into the lineup, featuring alongside Raphael Varane and Harry Maguire in a three-man backline.
David de Gea is the undisputed starter in goal after the form he has exhibited in the early parts of the season. At right wing-back, there is simply no looking past Aaron Wan-Bissaka due to the lack of a quality backup option. The same cannot be said on the left side, though, with Alex Telles expected to get a look-in against Atalanta in place of Luke Shaw.
Pogba, available for selection now, should walk into the starting XI, in the middle of the park. The Frenchman could be partnered by Scott McTominay in the double pivot, with Fred making way for him. Bruno Fernandes, meanwhile, will slot in as the playmaker in the No. 10 role and look to engineer chances for the strikers.
Edinson Cavani and Cristiano Ronaldo paired up for the weekend win against Tottenham. And Solskjaer was full of praise for the duo in his interview with the club media. “Top quality forwards of course and it’s always nice to see the type of goals they score,” he said.
Despite Solskjaer’s praise, one of the two could be given a breather on Tuesday night, considering their age. And, it could be Cavani who drops out of the starting XI, making way for Marcus Rashford, who also scored against Spurs, after coming on as a substitute.
Predicted Manchester United XI: De Gea, Bailly, Varane, Maguire, Wan-Bissaka, McTominay, Pogba, Telles, Fernandes, Ronaldo, Rashford
