Manchester United will host their city rivals Manchester City at Old Trafford for their Carabao Cup semi-final first-leg clash. Here is the line up that could suit the Red Devils against the defending champions.
Defense
Manchester United will need to go with an experienced line up which is why they have to start David De Gea in goal. Arron Wan Bissaka slots in at right-back while Luke Shaw gets the nod at left-back.
Harry Maguire was limping during the latter stages of their clash with Wolves on Sunday but he is expected to be fit for the City match. Alongside him in central defense, Victor Lindelof should be paired with him.
Midfield
This is arguably Manchester United’s most understaffed department. Paul Pogba is out for a few more weeks as is Scott Mctominay. This means that Nemanja Matic will be paired with the slightly overused Fred at the center of the pack in a double pivot.
Matic will sit back to protect the defense while Fred will have the license to roam forward. Ahead of the two, Juan Mata should come in to play the attacking midfield role.
Attack
Manchester City has a very weak backline that could be exploited by United’s strong and pacy attack. Daniel James has been out of form lately but it is hard to see anyone at the club who offers the pace he does on the right-wing.
Meanwhile, Marcus Rashford needs to start on the left-wing while Antony Martial gets the nod in the striking role.
Starting XI 4-2-1-3: De Gea, Bissaka, Shaw, Maguire, Lindelof, Fred, Matic, Mata, James, Rashford, Martial.