Marcus Rashford is in line to start, but Paul Pogba and Raphael Varane remain unavailable as Manchester United get set to take on Watford this weekend.
Manchester United will be raring to bounce back to winning ways after their derby defeat when they lock horns with newly-promoted Watford at Vicarage Road on Saturday afternoon.
Leading up to the game, Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was handed a fresh concern as Paul Pogba picked up an injury at the start of the international break, which has forced him out of action. He joins compatriot Raphael Varane out on the sidelines. “Paul is out still for a while, Raphael is out for a while still,” the Norwegian confirmed in his pre-match press conference.
Watford vs Manchester United Preview: Probable Lineups, Prediction, Tactics, Team News & Key Stats
In a separate interview with the club media, the manager also revealed that Edinson Cavani is also a major doubt for the contest. “He’s one of the doubts as well, Edi. He’s one we assess every single day and he’ll contribute when he gets back in. If it’s this weekend or not, I can’t tell you,” Solskjaer said.
But there were some positives as England pair Marcus Rashford and Luke Shaw, who did not travel with the national team during the break due to fitness concerns, are in good condition and should be available for selection. The same goes for midfielder Scott McTominay, who did not join up with Scotland due to an illness.
Having tried a three-man defensive system in the last couple of matches, Solskjaer is expected to revert to his favoured 4-2-3-1 formation against Watford with David de Gea set to guard the goal. Victor Lindelof and Harry Maguire ought to be the two centre-backs, with Eric Bailly set to miss out. Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Shaw, who has recovered from his head injury, are obvious picks in the full-back positions.
Manchester United will line up with a midfield double-pivot of McTominay and Fred yet again, although Solskjaer could use this game to give Donny van de Beek some much-needed minutes. Bruno Fernandes, meanwhile, is a certainty to feature as the No. 10 for the Red Devils against the Hornets.
Mason Greenwood, who put on an ineffective display in the loss to Manchester City, should slot in on the right flank. Rashford, who did not start the derby, ought to start on the left, which means Jadon Sancho will again have to make do with a place among the substitutes. There is no looking past Cristiano Ronaldo in the centre-forward berth, with Anthony Martial providing cover from the bench.
Manchester United Predicted XI: de Gea, Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Maguire, Shaw, McTominay, Fred, Greenwood, Fernandes, Rashford, Ronaldo
