Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has explained why Manchester United have reverted to a 4-2-3-1 for today's clash with Aston Villa.
After a poor first half against Sheffield United last Sunday when playing 3-4-3, Solskjaer introduced Jesse Lingard as a No.10 to spark his side into a much improved display and a comeback from 2-0 down.
And although there's no Lingard in the starting team for United today — given that he travelled back from Kazakhstan on Thursday night — Juan Mata has returned in the No.10 role, with Solskjaer explaining the change while speaking to MUTV before the contest.
He said: "We made a change at half time against Sheffield United [bringing Lingard on for Phil Jones] and we felt that shape helped us in that game.
"And they worked on that this week while we've been in Kazakhstan."
As well as Lingard, midfield pair were left out of the United starting 11 for today's Villa game, with Solskjaer asked if he expects a "fresh and vibrant performance" from his side, all of whom all stayed in Manchester and didn't feature against Astana.
"Yeah, definitely, that's one of the benefits," he added.
"They worked together, they stayed together, had a good week. We got the chance to give the youngsters a go over there [Kazakhstan] and it's going to be six days with three games, so everyone is going to be asked to participate."
United team: De Gea, Wan-Bissaka, Williams, Maguire, Lindelof, Fred, Pereira, Mata, James, Rashford, Martial.
