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Ole Gunnar Solskjaer suggested that one or two of his Manchester United team members were suffering from bumps and discomfort before tonight’s game against RB Leipzig.
But only Eric Bailly and Jesse Lingard are confirmed in terms of United absences, as Anthony Martial appears set to return to the side after being suspended for the league game against Chelsea.
Solskjaer will also have to decide whether to initiate new signings Donny van de Beek, Edinson Cavani and Alex Telles, with Paul Pogba also pushing to start in the Champions League game.
Our United writers choose their sides to face Leipzig below:
Dominic booth
The 4-2-3-1 would have worked better against Chelsea if United had injected more momentum into the game, and it is the right path to face Leipzig at home. The problem with Solskjaer is that several players could use a break, especially with a great game against Arsenal just around the corner.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Luke Shaw, Scott McTominay and Marcus Rashford all get breaks from this lineup, with Axel Tuanzebe a very capable, albeit defensive right-back, though Telles balances him out on the other side.
It could be the ideal game for Nemanja Matic to anchor midfield, while Martial and Mason Greenwood are must-have picks in attack, as both will be fresh. The same should be said of Van de Beek, who may have to be content with a somewhat unfamiliar broad role.
United are undefeated since the international break after victories over Newcastle and PSG, and a draw against Chelsea. Next up is a home game against RB Leipzig, with Edinson Cavani in contention to make his European debut for the club.
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Samuel Luckhurst
If Telles is fit, he has to come back, but it appears he did not attend training. If it is not available, Shaw must continue. Axel Tuanzebe’s speed could be key against Leipzig’s attack and, unless United are as cautious as they were at the weekend, Maguire and Lindelof could be exposed.
McTominay is probably the leading defensive midfielder today and Van de Beek deserves a suitable platform to show his class. The four forwards remain the four favorite forwards almost four months after their first game together against Sheffield United. Mason Greenwood should be renewed and Martial has had a couple of weekends off.
Choose your team to face Leipzig below.
Liam Corless
Bruno Fernandes is almost certain to start, but United have games against Arsenal, Istanbul Basaksehir and Everton and Solskjaer could keep his talisman fresh for those games. Resting Fernandes bang amid the international breaks in October and November could be beneficial.
The longer Donny van de Beek waits for a meaningful start, the louder the questions will become as to why United hired him. Van de Beek has influenced the league games against Crystal Palace, Brighton and Newcastle from the bench and impressed in his Carabao Cup games against Luton and Brighton.
Paul Pogba’s level has risen since his return from service in France and it would make more sense to keep Scott McTominay in midfield alongside him than Fred.
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