Telles and Van de Beek start | How Man Utd could line up against Villarreal
Manchester United face Villarreal on the road in the Champions League on Tuesday.
The Red Devils are currently top of their group on the head-to-head record to Villarreal, but Atalanta are only two points adrift of them.
Their performances in Europe have not been up to the mark this term, and Cristiano Ronaldo has saved their blushes with late winners.
He was also the standout performer in this month’s trip to Bergamo to face Atalanta. The Portugal international scored a last-gasp equaliser.
They are now scheduled to face Villarreal away from home. The La Liga outfit have been in poor league form as they lie 13th in the table.
However, the Red Devils have equally struggled in the league in recent months, with a staggering five losses in just seven matches.
They are currently eighth in the standings with just 17 points, only one more than what Villarreal have achieved this season.
The dismal league form recently paved the way for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s dismissal after three years as the club’s head coach.
Michael Carrick has been placed in temporary charge, and there could be a strong response from the players in tomorrow’s outing.
Team News:
Raphael Varane and Paul Pogba are out as they recover from injuries. Mason Greenwood is also unavailable after testing positive for coronavirus.
Luke Shaw may need to follow concussion protocols and could be sidelined for a week. Edinson Cavani is doubtful with a tendon injury.
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Predicted Line-up:
David de Gea has been excellent between the sticks for the Red Devils this term.
He has made multiple saves in almost every game and starred against Watford despite the shock 4-1 defeat. The Spaniard blocked a penalty and made three more saves.
Harry Maguire’s slow decision-making cost him against Watford as he received his marching orders in the 69th minute.
He is now suspended for the Chelsea game this weekend but should start against Villarreal.
Victor Lindelof has been the regular central defensive partner alongside Maguire, and the Swede appears likely to get the nod over Eric Bailly, who could return to the line-up for the Blues clash.
Diogo Dalot had a horrid time in the reverse meeting with Arnaut Danjuma getting the better of him.
Danjuma appears unlikely to feature, but Aaron Wan-Bissaka could continue at right-back.
Shaw looks set to miss the game after being substituted for concussion for the second game running.
Alex Telles led the 2-1 comeback win over Villarreal in September with a sublime volley to score his maiden United goal. He could start at left-back.
In the centre of the park, Donny van de Beek should be an assured starter over Scott Mctominay on the back of an impressive second-half display against Watford, capped with a goal.
He could be accompanied by Fred, who was an unused substitute. Nemanja Matic had a difficult outing at Watford, where he was guilty of squandering possession on multiple occasions.
Further forward, no changes are expected. Marcus Rashford, Bruno Fernandes and Jadon Sancho are likely to line up in a three-man attack behind Ronaldo, who is expected to lead the line.
Sancho produced his best showing for United over the weekend, where he combined impressively with Van de Beek in the second half.
He delivered quality crosses into the box, but Ronaldo had an off-day.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com.
Read: Man Utd midfielder Donny van de Beek produces credible second half performance vs Watford.
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