Manchester United succumbed to an embarrassing 3-2 loss to Brighton, and they will be keen on avoiding another defeat when Tottenham Hotspur come visiting next Monday.
Mauricio Pochettino’s side have picked up two wins from their opening two games and will fancy their chances against a United side who haven’t clicked properly yet.
Manchester United – Team News
Nemanja Matic and Antonio Valencia are back in training for United, and there is a chance that the duo will be fit enough to get a few minutes against Spurs if not start the match.
Diogo Dalot and Marcos Rojo are yet to recover from their respective injuries. Alexis Sanchez posted a cryptic message that he is back to full training and could be in for an early return as well.
Predicted Manchester United Lineup
Defence
David de Gea will be the undisputed starter for United, as always. Mourinho might employ a three-man defence, considering the individual errors that his defenders committed in the last game.
The addition of an extra man could provide the team with more stability at the centre. United did test the 3-5-2 formation in the preseason, so they are acclimatised to it.
Victor Lindelof, Eric Bailly and Chris Smalling might line up at the back.
Midfield
Antonio Valencia and Luke Shaw can play as the two wingbacks in this formation. Valencia’s defensive solidity coupled with Shaw’s overlapping runs on the left flank will provide the required balance.
Shaw has already managed a goal and an assist in the two games he has played in and has provided good attacking impetus from the left flank.
Nemanja Matic’s potential arrival means that the defence could be assured of a commendable holding midfielder shielding them from the opposition’s attacking moves.
Paul Pogba and Fred will complete the midfield. Pogba will look to link the defence with the attack, as Fred is likely to be tasked with playing a deeper role alongside Matic.
Attack
The majority of the offensive responsibilities fall on Alexis Sanchez and Romelu Lukaku’s shoulders, as the duo will be the goal-scoring threats for United.
Sanchez could be allowed to play as the secondary striker, looking for that final pass from the half-spaces in the final third.
Lukaku is yet to really impress after missing couple of good opportunities to score in both the games he has featured in. The pressure will be on the big man to deliver against his compatriots Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen.
