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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Samuel Luckhurst & Richard Fay & Daniel Murphy

How Manchester United should line up vs Reading in FA Cup fixture

Manchester United are back in action tonight when they host Championship side Reading in the fourth round of the FA Cup.

Erik ten Hag's side are looking to end their trophy drought this season and will be confident of progressing to the next round of the competition this weekend.

In terms of early team news, Jadon Sancho could return to the United squad, but Diogo Dalot has been ruled out, and Luke Shaw is a doubt.

Here is how MEN writers think United should line up.

Read next: United team news vs Reading

Rich Fay

United have enviable squad depth, and now it is about time they showed it off. There should be a change in goal with Butland getting a chance to show his quality, but they are limited with their options at full-back.

Maguire would be better suited to a physical Championship side, and Lindelof is a sensible inclusion alongside him. Fred and Scott McTominay should both start in midfield to give a few key players a rest. Fernandes is one booking away from a suspension, so he is an unnecessary risk, and Eriksen should start ahead of him.

Rashford is undroppable, and it makes sense to play him through the middle but rest him next week. Garnacho is worthy of a start on the left and Elanga could start on the right ahead of Pellistri.

Rich's team: Butland, Wan-Bissaka, Maguire, Lindelof, Malacia, Fred, McTominay, Eriksen, Elanga, Garnacho, Rashford.

Samuel Luckhurst

United are in an advantageous position to rest players before their Premier League season resumes against Crystal Palace in a week. It is safe to start Tom Heaton and, politically, starting Harry Maguire is advisable and harmless. Victor Lindelof merits a second successive start.

It should be safe to pair McTominay and Fred, the latter unfortunate not to start against Arsenal or Forest. Alejandro Garnacho is overdue a start and United need to have a look at Facundo Pellistri from the off sooner rather than later.

Fernandes can sit out the second leg against Forest.


Daniel Murphy

Ten Hag doesn't tend to name too much of a weakened team even if the level of opposition provides a good opportunity to do so, but this week of fixtures gives the manager a good chance to rotate his squad and keep everyone fresh ahead of a hectic run of games which includes double headers with Leeds and Barcelona.

There is little choice but to start Wan-Bissaka and Malacia at full-back given fitness issues elsewhere but Lindelof and Maguire, a familiar partnership, should start in the heart of defence. Likewise, the midfield should be changed.

Fernandes is a booking away from a suspension while Casemiro and Eriksen could always do with saving for bigger games. I'd bring McTominay and Fred into the fold alongside exciting youngster Mainoo to give him another chance.

I'd keep the attack fairly strong in order to ensure the job gets done without a hiccup. Rashford can start up top to give Weghorst a breather while Antony and Garnacho can don the wings.

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