Manchester United return from European action to host West Ham United at Old Trafford in the Premier League on Saturday evening.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will be forced into at least two changes from Wednesday night following the suspensions of Luke Shaw and Ashley Young, but the manager is expected to rotate his starting XI further with our trip to Camp Nou this Tuesday.
We head into the weekend down in sixth position and three points outside of the top four. Here is the team I think Ole will name to face the Hammers:
Goalkeeper: David de Gea
The Spaniard wasn’t as busy as expected midweek and can be sure to keep his place in the starting XI for the visit of West Ham.
Defence: Diogo Dalot, Chris Smalling, Phil Jones, Marcos Rojo
Diogo Dalot has played a few games down the right wing of late but the Portuguese youngster can be expected to move into his natural full-back role in place of the suspended Ashley Young on Saturday. I can see Victor Lindelof being given a rest ahead of the second leg against Barcelona, allowing Phil Jones to start alongside Chris Smalling. Ole said in his pre-match press conference that Matteo Darmian may be fit to make the bench so that suggests Marcos Rojo will make a rare start at left-back this weekend.
Midfield: Scott McTominay, Fred; Jesse Lingard, Paul Pogba, Anthony Martial
Nemanja Matic was ill midweek and may be rested ahead of Tuesday’s return leg in Spain, giving another start to both Scott McTominay and Fred. Jesse Lingard was a substitute midweek so should be in line for a start down the right wing, though Juan Mata is another option if the manager is confident we’ll dominate possession. Paul Pogba has the energy to start in the number 10 role again, though it’s not like he burned much of it midweek. Marcus Rashford has got to be saved for next week so Anthony Martial should start down the left.
Striker: Romelu Lukaku
With Martial on the wing and Rashford rested then Romelu Lukaku will be the striker on Saturday.
Here’s our team on paper:
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