Manchester United face Championship promotion contenders Derby County at Old Trafford in the FA Cup third round on Friday evening.
The Rams are coming off the back of a 1-1 draw at home to Sheffield United, having taken five points from their three games over the Christmas period.
Our 2-0 win at Everton on Monday means we too have taken five points since Christmas Day and head into the FA Cup tie as firm favourites.
Here is the team I think Jose Mourinho will field on Friday:
Goalkeeper: Sergio Romero
Having been eliminated from the EFL Cup there’s no guarantee that Jose Mourinho will rotate his goalkeeper in the FA Cup but I believe Sergio Romero will make his sixth start of the season in this game.
Defence: Axel Tuanzebe, Victor Lindelof, Marcos Rojo, Daley Blind
Jose is limited with options in defence as Ashley Young is suspended, both Antonio Valencia and Eric Bailly are injured and Luke Shaw has played 90 minutes in each of our last three. As a result we could see youngster Axel Tuanzebe come in at right-back with Matteo Darmian sparingly used these days. Victor Lindelof should get another game at centre-back as he continues to adjust to the English game. Marcos Rojo could partner the Swede if Chris Smalling isn’t fit enough to start. This would allow Phil Jones a rest.
Midfield: Paul Pogba, Scott McTominay, Ander Herrera
The boss went back to a central midfield three against Everton and should stick with this 4-3-3 formation against the lower league side. Paul Pogba is a freak when it comes to fitness and will be ready to give 90 minutes again. Scott McTominay should get another start which would allow Nemanja Matic a rare rest. Ander Herrera is getting a lot more first team action of late with all our injuries so this should be another opportunity for the Spaniard.
Attack: Jesse Lingard, Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford
It was a surprise not to see Marcus Rashford start versus Everton so he should be named in the starting XI on Friday. I think he’ll play down the left of a front three with Anthony Martial keeping his central striker role in the absence of Romelu Lukaku and Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Jesse Lingard could start down the right again against one of the sides he was once loaned out to, if Jose decides not to give Henrikh Mkhitaryan another start.
Here is how we line up on paper:
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