Manchester United return to domestic action following a 1-0 win at Benfica in the Champions League on Wednesday night.
After a 0-0 draw at Liverpool last weekend we will be looking to get back to winning ways in the Premier League as we travel to Huddersfield in the third of four successive away games.
Marcus Rashford picked up a knock midweek to add to our injury woes of late, though Jose Mourinho has been unable to confirm if it was anything serious or not and whether it will keep the 19-year-old out of action on Saturday.
Here is the team I think Jose will start:
David de Gea
The Spaniard was at his best once again at Anfield making one of the saves of the season to deny Joel Matip from close range. David de Gea has now kept seven clean sheets in our eight Premier League matches this season. He didn’t have a single save to make midweek and I don’t expect him to be too busy at the John Smith’s Stadium either.
Antonio Valencia
Huddersfield like to attack down the wings and put crosses into the box. However, they don’t create too many chances per game. Antonio Valencia could be up against Rajiv van La Parra who hasn’t done much this season after starting the last two. Chris Lowe doesn’t threaten as much as a cross from left-back either.
Chris Smalling
The England international has been a rock when called upon this season and could be in line for another start on Saturday with no news on Eric Bailly recovering from an injury picked up whilst with the Ivory Coast two weeks ago. Steve Mounie has been injured of late and his replacement, Laurent Depoitre, only has one goal in his four starts up front. In fact, the Terriers haven’t scored in their last three games since a 1-1 draw at home to Leicester more than a month ago.
Phil Jones
Phil Jones has played every minute for us in the Premier League this season and there’s no reason why the 25-year-old won’t start this weekend either. We’ve only conceded in one game so far this season though the finger could be pointed at Jones for both of Stoke’s goals in that game.
Daley Blind
Returned to the starting lineup midweek and I think Daley Blind will keep his place at left-back because he likes to get forward and can deliver a good cross into the box. Width will be important for us in this game as Huddersfield pack their defence.
Nemanja Matic
In a game we expect to control the possession you can expect Nemanja Matic to see more touches than any other player on the pitch. The Serbian has been instrumental in protecting our back four whilst also starting attacks. Don’t expect any change in that this weekend. Defensively, he’ll have an eye on Aaron Mooy who has been Huddersfield’s most creative player from deep this season.
Ander Herrera
Ander Herrera’s energy in the middle of the park will also be good at countering the threat of Mooy whilst his passing ability should help us break down their defence. The Spaniard can expect to start with Paul Pogba, Marouane Fellaini and Michael Carrick all still out. Scott McTominay is the only other contender here.
Ashley Young
I think we’ll see Ashley Young starting this weekend. Huddersfield play defensively so we can expect a lot of the ball and territory. Young’s put some excellent crosses into the box this season so seems the obvious choice to start as we send several players forward looking to break them down. Lukaku and Martial have been good targets in the box this season. If Young doesn’t start on the right wing then perhaps he’ll be the starting left-back.
Juan Mata
I have a feeling Jose will drop Henrikh Mkhitaryan this weekend after a couple of quiet and sloppy performances of late. Juan Mata will be the more useful number 10 if Huddersfield play a compact game because his passes are precise and capable of unlocking any defence.
Anthony Martial
Marcus Rashford started midweek and picked up a knock so it seems very likely Anthony Martial starts this one down the left wing as he did versus Liverpool a week ago. We’ve got players in the team capable of crossing the ball into the box whilst the French international offers a threat in running at the likes of Tommy Smith and Christopher Schindler.
Romelu Lukaku
The big man is on a goal drought by his standards – not scoring versus Liverpool or Benfica over the past week. Romelu Lukaku should be on the end of a few crosses this weekend as we spend a lot of time in the final third. Let’s hope he can add to his goal tally that currently sees him the Premier League top scorer heading into the weekend.
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Here’s how the team looks on paper:
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