Manchester United will host Serie A side Atalanta at Old Trafford in their third Champions League group-stage game on Wednesday night in what will be the first meeting between the two sides.
The Red Devils have three points from the first two games of the Champions League group stages and a win over Atalanta could prove vital to qualification for the knockout rounds.
Moreover, a win at Old Trafford would relieve some pressure off Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s shoulders after his side’s embarrassing 4-2 away defeat to Leicester City in the Premier League on Saturday.
Manchester United Team News
Harry Maguire and Marcus Rashford returned from injury in the defeat to Leicester City, the latter coming off the bench to score Manchester United’s second goal.
Raphael Varane has been ruled out for a few weeks with a groin problem while Anthony Martial missed the Leicester game due to fitness problems. Fred and Edinson Cavani will both be available again after missing Saturday’s game in East Midlands due to their international commitments.
Meanwhile, Aaron Wan-Bissaka will be available for selection after the Reds’ appeal to reduce a two-game suspension for a red card against Young Boys to one game adjudged successful.
Predicted Manchester United Lineup vs Atalanta (4-2-3-1)
Goalkeeper
David de Gea will be desperate to keep a clean sheet on Wednesday after conceding four goals against Leicester City.
Defence
Manchester United have been all over the place defensively in the last few games, especially at Leicester, where they were undone by individual mistakes and from set pieces.
Solskjaer must tighten up his backline if his team are to perform well in this busy run of difficult fixtures and Harry Maguire, after being culpable for all the four goals on Saturday, must start taking charge. With Varane out injured, Victor Lindelof is set to partner Maguire at central defence.
Luke Shaw’s performance levels have dipped this season, yet, he’ll get the nod ahead of Alex Telles at left-back. Aaron Wan-Bissaka is a definite starter at right-back in the Manchester United lineup.
Midfield
This is the area where Solskjaer could make changes and big ones after the embarrassment at Leicester.
Nemanja Matic and Paul Pogba were outrun and outwitted in midfield on Saturday, so the duo could make way for the reliable Fred and Scott McTominay in the Manchester United lineup.
Predicted Manchester United Lineup vs Atalanta
Despite not being at his best in recent weeks, Bruno Fernandes will keep his place in the team. He’ll have to get back his mojo and help the Reds get three points against the Bergamo-based outfit.
Attack
Marcus Rashford marked his return from injury with a goal against Leicester. He looked fully fit and sharp in the cameo he played over the weekend, making him a genuine contender to start.
Mason Greenwood scored a thunderbolt past Kasper Schmeichel and was Manchester United’s best outfield player on Saturday. His speed, directness and unpredictability could cause problems to the Atalanta defence off the right.
Cristiano Ronaldo is an undoubted starter and the Portuguese megastar will look to get himself on the score sheet against Atalanta.
