Manchester United will begin their Champions League campaign with a visit to Switzerland to face Young Boys. United were eliminated in the Round of 16 by Sevilla last season, whilst the Young Boys have made it to the group stages of the Champions League for the first time. The match will be played at Stade de Suisse.
Team News
Luke Shaw is in contention to return to the starting lineup after a minor concussion he suffered during the international break. He had to sit out for a mandatory period but is now fit to start in United’s first Champions League fixture of the season. Antonio Valencia hasn’t travelled with the squad with fears over the artificial turf possibly aggravating his injury. Sergio Romero and Rojo are still working their way back to full fitness.
Formation: 4-3-3
Defence
David de Gea will be the undoubted starter in goal after his stupendous performance against Watford where he pulled off a crucial last-minute save.
Diogo Dalot, United’s new recruit is poised to start after playing in U-23 matches against Stoke City and Reading FC. Luke Shaw will start at left back and will look to continue his fine early season form. He has so far scored one and assisted once in four Premier League matches this season.
Chris Smalling has been reliable at the back in the last two games and should surely start. He made nine clearances and won seven aerial duels in the last match against Watford. Eric Bailly could partner him in central defence. The Ivorian has been out from the first team ever since his disappointing performance in the loss against Brighton & Hove Albion a month ago.
Midfield
Nemanja Matic will miss out against the Wolves but is poised to start in midfield tonight.
Paul Pogba and Fred are likely to flank Matic on either side. Pogba had 3 shots on goal against the Hornets but failed to score, something he would like to do today.
Fred failed to make the starting XI against physically dominating teams like Burnley and Watford. However, the Brazilian’s flair and incisive forward passing will be welcomed in this game.
Attack
Romelu Lukaku, who scored last weekend, will lead the forward line. He has good memories against this particular team having scored five times in two matches against Young Boys back in 2014 with Everton in the Europa League.
Marcus Rashford is facing a domestic three-match ban due to his headbutt on Phillip Bardsley against Burnley before the international break. Since then, Rashford has scored twice in two matches for England against Spain and Switzerland respectively.
He could start from the right flank. Alexis Sanchez will look to get into the groove tonight after a rather tepid start to the season.
