Manchester United will look to end their three-match win-less run when they host Valencia in the Champions League on Tuesday night. Jose Mourinho and his players will be desperate to put on a good performance in front of their supporters after disappointing recent showings against Wolves and West Ham in the Premier League, as well as a dismal defeat to Derby in the Carabao Cup. Valencia are the latest visitors to Old Trafford as attention turns to the Champions League. Mourinho is without Jesse Lingard, Ander Herrera and Ashley Young for the game, while Marcos Rojo is still injured.
Nemanja Matic is needed to anchor the midfield despite his pedestrian performances and United could do with Juan Mata’s silk. He and Ander Herrera actually seem to care about the club, unlike the petulant Paul Pogba. He only stays in since Herrera is out.
Marcus Rashford deserves to start and Anthony Martial was not one of the poorer performers at West Ham. United were devoid of pace and incision on Saturday and need to address that.
Nemanja Matic is needed to anchor the midfield despite his pedestrian performances and United could do with Juan Mata’s silk. He and Ander Herrera actually seem to care about the club, unlike the petulant Paul Pogba. He only stays in since Herrera is out.
Marcus Rashford deserves to start and Anthony Martial was not one of the poorer performers at West Ham. United were devoid of pace and incision on Saturday and need to address that.
Ciaran Kelly
None of Jose Mourinho’s team selections were vindicated against West Ham and it is hard to see where he goes from here. For the umpteenth time this season, the United boss has to go back to the drawing board and all this chopping and changing is not helping.
Saying that, Eric Bailly and Diogo Dalot should both be recalled and United should return to the 4-3-3 that has largely served them well, with Marouane Fellaini and Nemanja Matic protecting that leaky defence.
Marcus Rashford’s cameo was the only positive at the London Stadium so I would start him on the right wing and stick with Anthony Martial to give United some pace on the break.
Liam Corless
Diogo Dalot deserves to start in place of the injured Ashley Young after a couple of promising displays against Young Boys and Derby, while Victor Lindelof keeps his place alongside Chris Smalling in the centre of defence almost by default, with the alternatives Phil Jones and the error-prone Eric Bailly.
Nemanja Matic and Paul Pogba were both poor at the weekend but most of United’s players were, and Pogba remains United’s best midfielder. Fred was good in United’s last European outing and needs game time.
Up front Romelu Lukaku needs dropping after three ineffectual displays on the bounce and Alexis Sanchez should get a chance in his place through the middle, where he thrived in pre-season.
Marcus Rashford was the only player to come out of the loss to West Ham with any credit and should start on the right wing, while Martial deserves another chance.
