Depay & Martial To Start – Manchester United Likely Line Up For Wolfsburg
United boss, Louis Van Gaal has an upheaval task ahead of him for tonight in squad selection. Van Gaal will undoubtedly be without five of his players and will have to do a careful selection within the available players to ensure the Red-Devils get a win against Wolfsburg tonight in their European Champions League clash. United lost their opening match in the competition to PSV Eindohven and need to get the maximum three points from this match, especially in front of their home fans. However, Van Gaal will also need to consider the upcoming premiership clash with Arsenal. The Red Devils have been doing well in the premiership and are on top of the table at the moment and definitely will not want to leave the top spot so soon especially after a 3-0 victory over Sunderland at the weekend.
This should therefore be United’s line-up for the match today.
Goalkeeper.
De Gea should retain his spot as United Goalkeeper as the Spaniard has recorded a 3.3 saves per goal this season and has not been found faulty in his appearances for the club bur has made some very crucial saves that helped the team on to victory.
Defence
Marcus Rojo and Antonio Valencia will both be absent today as both are not at training this morning, therefore, Ashley Young might have to step in to his new left-back role again which he seems to be getting used to and has been doing well in.
Chris Smalling and Daley Blind will have to continue in their partnership as they have been almost unbreakable so far, conceding just five goals between them which is the lowest in the premiership alongside Tottenham.
Matteo Darmian will have to continue at right back after featuring in almost all Manchester United’s matches this season and doling out impressive performances. Although he stands the risk of getting fatigued but it is still early in the season and he should still have the strength to carry on for a short while without running out of steam.
Midfield
The Defensive midfield should consist of Morgan Schneiderlin and Bastian Schweinsteiger, especially with Carrick not being available for selection today. Schneiderlin who joined the Red Devils in the summer transfer has been a strong force in United’s midfield, completing 90% of his passes against Sunderland. His combination with Schweinsteiger will ensure that they control the play from the middle and also truncate Wolfsburg’s creative attacking tendencies.
The attacking midfield should include Juan Mata, Memphis Depay and Wayne Rooney following their fantastic contributions to the Red Devils 3-0 victory over the Black Cats at the weekend. All three found the back of the bet against Sunderland and will be hoping to keep the good form going especially with Rooney seeming to be finding his form back at the number 10 role, Depay scoring in Europe and Mata starting to be a big factor in United’s attacking midfield.
Striker
Anthony Martial is the first name on all United’s fans lips as a striker in front of the three attacking midfielders. He has the pace and knows how to get behind the defence line and make room for United attacking midfielders.
Van Gaal has his work cut out for him but if he sticks to this squad, might get his much needed win in the European Champions League tonight.