Manchester United have now registered three victories in a row after consecutive defeats in the Premier League last month. Now, they will have a tricky challenge against newly promoted Wolverhampton Wanderers and it remains to be seen how Jose Mourinho’s side approaches this match.
United emerged victorious against Young Boys in their Champions League opener. However, the midweek fixture could have an impact on the fitness levels of some players as they played on an artificial pitch.
Manchester United Team News
Marcus Rashford is set to miss the match as he will serve the second of his three-match ban. Nemanja Matic was sent off in the last match against Watford and he too will be unavailable. The defensive duo if Marcos Rojo and Phil Jones aren’t fully fit yet, so Mourinho will have limited choice to choose from at the back.
Predicted Manchester United Lineup
Defence
David de Gea’s wonderful save in the final minute of the match against Watford kept United in the match. He will be an undoubted starter against Wolves too.
Chris Smalling and Victor Lindelof have formed a somewhat reliable centre-back partnership and hence they might start this weekend too. Smalling won three aerial duels and Lindelof made six interceptions against Young Boys. They complement each other quite well at the heart of the defence.
Diogo Dalot made an impressive debut as he put in a few testing crosses and added the much needed attacking bite from the right flank. Luke Shaw played three key passes in the same match too and both of them are expected to offer the attacking impetus against Wolves.
Midfield
Marouane Fellaini is expected to shield the backline and drop in as an auxiliary centre-back whenever required. His aerial strength will help United deal with Wolves’ long balls, if they resort to that tactic.
Paul Pogba scored twice and assisted once in United’s Champions League victory. He is expected to start as he was taken off in the 74th minute against Young Boys. Fred’s dynamism and forward passing would be crucial if United are to break Wolves’ resolute defence. The Brazilian played two key passes in the midweek fixture and could yet again start alongside Pogba and Fellaini.
Attack
Romelu Lukaku will lead the line for United. He provided one key pass but failed to score in the midweek Champions League fixture. Alexis Sanchez and Jesse Lingard are expected to play support Lukaku in attack.
United’s new tactical approach requires the wingers to be tenacious and quick on the counter-attack. Sanchez and Lingard provide Mourinho with those attributes.
