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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Omar Garrick

Michael Carrick sends big message to Solskjaer with radical changes to Manchester United lineup

Manchester United face a tricky trip to Spain against Villarreal, in the first match since the sacking of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer on Sunday.

Michael Carrick is the man faced with picking the team ahead of this crucial tie in Group F of the UEFA Champions League.

Paul Pogba (thigh) and Raphael Varane (hamstring) are missing while Luke Shaw appeared to sustain another concussion injury against Watford.

Mason Greenwood has tested positive for Covid-19 and Edinson Cavani (tendon) stops the duo from appearing.

Villarreal's Gerard Moreno looks set to miss out with a hamstring injury.

Here is the team news:

Villarreal: Rulli, Foyth, Albiol, Torres, Estupinan, Trigueros, Capoue, Parejo, Gomez, Pino, Danjuma.

Manchester United : De Gea, Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Maguire, Telles, McTominay, Fred, Sancho, Van de Beek, Martial, Ronaldo.

Carrick makes big changes to shock supporters

Michael Carrick confirmed in his press conference that he and Solskjaer had similar views on many things, but judging by this team news, it doesn't look that way.

Fernandes has been dropped by Carrick (Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images) ((Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images))

Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford have both been dropped by the former United midfielder, which means Donny van de Beek and Anthony Martial have both been brought in for an opportunity.

To be honest, Fernandes has been playing poorly in recent weeks and looks like he needs a rest, simply because he hasn't been as effective in front of goal so far this season.

Rashford was criticised for his poor performance against Watford due to a lack of pressing when out of possession. Some supporters have been calling for Martial to get given an opportunity after scoring in his last start, which was the 1-1 draw against Everton.

Donny van de Beek looked really bright when he came on at the weekend and scored United's only goal of the match. He and Jadon Sancho linked up really well in the game, and their partnership will definitely be an interesting dynamic to watch.

Can Telles make a name for himself?

Alex Telles also comes into the United side instead of injured Luke Shaw and it will be interesting to see if he can have an impact down the left-hand channel as he did in the reverse fixture at Old Trafford.

Telles scored a wonderful goal in the match, catching a sweet volley on the edge of the area and fired it into the back of the net from about 22 yards.

Shaw hasn't been playing well in recent weeks and Telles has an opportunity to stake his claim and cement a place in the starting XI on a more regular basis.

What do you think of the team news? Follow our United On My Mind writer Omar Garrick on Twitter to get involved in the discussion and give us your thoughts on the matter in the comments section below.

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