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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Samuel Luckhurst & Dominic Booth & Marcus Banks

How Manchester United should line up vs Wolves in Premier League fixture

Manchester United can close the gap to league leaders Liverpool to just two points by defeating Wolverhampton Wanderers at Old Trafford tonight.

United twice led against Leicester last time out but were forced to share the points against Brendan Rodgers' side after a late own-goal from Axel Tuanzebe.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will take confidence from United's recent home record against Wolves, avoiding defeat in their last nine home league games against the Midlands side (W6 D3) and keeping six clean sheets in the process.

However, Wolves are unbeaten against United in the Premier League since returning to the top flight in 2018.

Our writers have their say on who should start for United below...

Paul Pogba showboating in his indoor football arena

Samuel Luckhurst

David de Gea did not cover himself in glory for Harvey Barnes' goal and, given Dean Henderson is due to start in two cup ties next week, another opportunity has emerged to make him the first-choice 'keeper.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka has hardly impressed all season but is a logical starter and Axel Tuanzebe deserves to partner Harry Maguire in the Premier League.

It's a taxing period but Scott McTominay and Fred are arguably needed more against Wolves than Aston Villa, even though Paul Pogba is available to freshen up the front six.

Edinson Cavani and Mason Greenwood would enhance the attacking quartet.

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Dominic Booth

If fully fit, Wan-Bissaka has to come back into the side. It may also be a game for Alex Telles to exploit the space behind Wolves' wingers, or wing-backs if Nuno reverts to his old three-man back line. With Lindelof struggling with a back injury and Eric Bailly too erratic to depend on, it's worth handing Tuanzebe a deserved start at centre-back, while Rashford should be rested even if he's fully fit.

Solskjaer will surely be tempted to start Pogba, but he has to start looking beyond the Frenchman and entrust other midfielders to start more regularly. Fred, Van de Beek and Fernandes should be the preferred midfield trio in home games that United expect to dominate, while Cavani and Greenwood will be fresh to bring new impetus to the attack. Fernandes is too important to rest right now.

Marcus Banks

Solskjaer delivered a positive update on Wan-Bissaka's fitness and the right-back will be a welcome returnee despite his average performances so far this season. Tuanzebe deserves a start ahead of Bailly, with Telles the better option at left-back than Shaw given his recent injury troubles.

Pogba should come back into the side and will be tasked with dominating the midfield alongside Fred. Fernandes is undroppable despite his recent workload. Rashford shouldn't be risked, with Martial starting from the left. Cavani and Greenwood should also start.

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