David De Gea
Matteo Darmian, Chris Smalling, Phil Jones, Daley Blind
Michael Carrick, Marouane Fellaini
Jesse Lingard, Andreas Pereira, Memphis Depay
James Wilson
Louis van Gaal has outlined the players who will definitely miss the Middlesbrough game today. Those players are: Luke Shaw, Paddy McNair and Antonio Valencia.
The Manchester United starting eleven might could see a lot of turnover for the League Cup match. As the manager has highlighted on multiple occasions, his players have played many games over the past couple of weeks.
Speaking to MUTV, van Gaal had this to say:
“But I have a lot of players in the ‘red zone’ because we have had a lot of matches and we have a lot of matches to play. I have to see if I can use them or not. I have to decide tomorrow [Wednesday]. We need all the days to recover at this moment, so it is difficult to say.”
David De Gea will probably keep his spot between the posts as he didn’t have much to do against Manchester City at the weekend. United’s defence limited the Blues to just one shot on target. But Sergio Romero could be given a run out if the Spaniard is deemed to need some rest.
Concerning the centre back pairing and left back, this would be a good opportunity to give Chris Smalling a well earned rest, and play Blind alongside Jones. But then Rojo would have to start after a hard fought, and tiring, game at the weekend, after only recently returning from injury.
Young could play left back but is questionable to be fit. The only other natural left back in United’s ranks is 18 year old Cameron Borthwick-Jackson, but he played Monday night, and has never been picked for the first team.
Or Smalling could be rested, with Blind alongside Jones, and Rojo starting on the left.
Carrick, Fellaini and Pereira could take on the midfield roles in place of Schweinsteiger, Schneiderlin and Herrera to give them a night off, and Jesse Lingard looks set to play the full 90 against the Championship side.
James Wilson has been suffering from illness recently but could start upfront for the Red Devils. To his left, Memphis Depay may be given a chance to get back into van Gaal’s good books.
As it’s a cup game, against a lower league opponent, van Gaal could come out with any line up really. Even he says that he won’t know until later today.
The League Cup game takes place at Old Trafford tonight, with kick off being set for 20:00.
