Erik ten Hag has named his starting line-up for Manchester United's Premier League showdown with Bournemouth at Old Trafford this evening, making a handful of surprise changes.
United, who have won seven of the last nine meetings between the two clubs, will be looking to register a sixth successive victory in all competitions following their 1-0 win over Wolves at Molineux on New Year's Eve. Marcus Rashford stepped off the bench to score the winner, marking his third goal in as many games.
It means that Ten Hag will be determined to see another victory from his side this evening, as they attempt to make a winning start to 2023. The Dutchman has opted to make a few changes to the side that was victorious on Saturday, making four in total.
READ MORE: United vs Bournemouth LIVE
Victor Lindelof, club captain Harry Maguire, Donny van de Beek and Rashford have come into the side, meaning Raphael Varane, Tyrell Malacia, Antony and Alejandro Garnacho have dropped out.
Meanwhile, Diogo Dalot, who has recovered from an injury problem, Lisandro Martinez, Scott McTominay and Garnacho have been named among the substitutes. However, Jadon Sancho and Antony are among those not to have not been included in the matchday squad.
Despite having made the decision to make four changes to the side that was victorious against Wolves, Ten Hag will still be hoping to see another victory from his side, as they aim to tighten their grip on a top-four berth. It is the centre-back paring of Lindelof and Maguire that has attracted the most attention from United's supporters in the immediate aftermath of the team news being confirmed.
Below, MEN Sport has taken a close look at what some of United's supporters have had to say in response to Ten Hag's decision to name a surprise paring in the heart of the defence.
As you can see from the messages displayed in the tweets above, Ten Hag's decision to deploy Lindelof and Maguire in the heart of the defence has generated some concerns from the supporters ahead of kick-off. The Reds have been solid defensively of late, inspired by the contributiuons of Luke Shaw, who has filled in at centre-back, and Varane.
United starting line-up: De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Maguire, Lindelof, Shaw; Casemiro, Eriksen, Van de Beek; Fernandes, Martial, Rashford.
Substitutes: Heaton, Dalot, Malacia, Martinez, Varane, Fred, McTominay, Elanga, Garnacho.
This evening's contest kicks-off at 8pm and you can follow all of the action on our live matchday blog, which you can access by clicking here.
READ NEXT:
