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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
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Samuel Luckhurst & Richard Fay & Tyrone Marshall & George Smith

How Manchester United should line up against Wolves in the Premier League

Manchester United will be looking to keep their winning run intact when they travel to face Wolves in the Premier League early kick-off today.

Erik ten Hag's side have won their last four matches in all competitions and have impressed following their return to club action after the World Cup with two wins without even conceding a goal.

United know they will face an increasingly tougher test away at Wolves, with the home side buoyed following the arrival of manager Julen Lopetegui.

Read next: Joao Felix can prove Dalot right again

In terms of early team news, Lisandro Martinez could return following his triumphant World Cup with Argentina, but Jadon Sancho is still unavailable.

This is how MEN writers think United should line up against Wolves.

Rich Fay

United's toughest test in recent weeks calls for the strongest side available from the beginning. Wan-Bissaka most likely starts at right back, with Dalot a doubt, and Martinez should start given he didn't feature in the World Cup final.

The midfield chooses itself, and there is no logic in dropping any of them if they are fit. Martial was still a little disappointing in midweek, but is the only recognised striking option. Rashford has been in excellent form, and Antony has to start given how much they have invested in him.

Samuel Luckhurst

Wolves is by far the most testing match United have until the derby and changes have to be at a minimum. With Diogo Dalot back in training, United should be at full strength.

Luke Shaw should switch to left-back, with Martinez back in at centre-back after multiple training sessions this week. Antony has got a long way to go to convince he is a signing of merit rather than nepotism but he needs a consecutive run of games again. United's squad depth upped the ante in the second-half against Forest and having Alejandro Garnacho, Fred, Donny van de Beek and potentially Facundo Pellistri to call upon is decent going.


Tyrone Marshall

There aren't a lot of selection issues around United at the moment but there will be a couple of decisions for Ten Hag to make in defence. With Dalot a doubt I would stick with Wan-Bissaka, who actually is building up some momentum, while Varane is a nailed-on starter.

Martinez returned to training on Wednesday so he should be ready now, but he last played a game 18 days ago and he played just half an hour against Croatia, so he might not be at peak fitness and may not last the full 90. His return would allow Shaw to return to left-back.

The front six almost picks itself at the moment. The loss of one game during the usual festive schedule has reduced the need to rotate and United play twice at home next week, including an FA Cup tie, so there could be changes then. Casemiro, Eriksen and Fernandes is by some distance the best midfield three.

The same can be said of Antony, Rashford and Martial in attack. Ten Hag will hope to sign someone to add competition there next month and Sancho's return would boost the numbers, but for now those three can continue to start.

George Smith

With the exception of Dalot, who remains sidelined through injury, United should be at full strength at Molineux.

Martinez has returned from celebrating Argentina's World Cup triumph in Qatar and should return to the heart of the defence, joining forces with Varane.

That means Shaw should return to his natural home at left-back, meaning Malacia will be forced to drop to the bench. In midfield, United have no reason to disrupt their strongest trio, allowing Casemiro, Eriksen and Fernandes to continue doing what they have done so well in recent months.

In attack, Garnacho will be hunting a start after being left on the bench against Nottingham Forest. However, considering how much United invested in Antony, he needs game time to try and get up to speed following a recent dip in form. Martial should lead the line and the in-form Rashford should start on the left again.




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