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Who is in goal?
Many will wonder how injured David de Gea was after being declared fit for a game three days later. De Gea is believed to have trained on Monday after receiving treatment and a cynic might suggest that he cried in Southampton to ensure he would be ready for Paris Saint-Germain.
Dean Henderson replaced him at St Mary’s and he was impeccable, his presence spreading confidence in the rest of a team that started the second half 2-0 against but ended with 3-2 winners.
Most punters regard Henderson as United’s best goalkeeper and the club didn’t put him on a five-year contract with a six-figure weekly salary just so it could get a great rate later on.
Regardless of De Gea’s physical condition, it’s time for United to get their investment in Henderson right, but that’s up to the manager and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been unwaveringly loyal to De Gea.
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What is the training?
Solskjaer has claimed the scalp of Chelsea (twice), City and PSG by going back three and United appeased Liverpool in October last year. Henderson flourished behind three center halves at Sheffield United, Alex Telles’ pinnacle of his short United career came as a winger in Paris and the forwards have not been tied down by the system. PSG need to win, which could invite United to counterattack in a draw where a point will send them to the round of 16.
However, Axel Tuanzebe is injured and Luke Shaw hesitates. United’s strength lies in attack and they just secured their fourth consecutive win in regulation time for the first time since January 2019.
PSG have Mbappé, Neymar, Marquinhos and Marco Verratti, but United have Fernandes, Cavani, Rashford and Van de Beek and their defense, while unstable, is not as affordable as PSG’s.
Will Van de Beek begin?
It is no longer safe for the pre-match press conference to begin. Scott McTominay sat next to Solskjaer before the call to RB Leipzig Zoom five weeks ago and started on the bench the next day.
The press was finally able to speak to Donny van de Beek, United’s biggest signing of the summer, on Tuesday and the Dutchman’s performances against Istanbul Basaksehir and Southampton bode well as he tries to keep his place.
Van de Beek spoke to the announcers at the Southampton field before the teams were confirmed in a draw that was beginning. Settling it against PSG is trickier, especially if United come back three behind, but Van de Beek complemented Bruno Fernandes in an encouraging way last week and United are a more menacing side with both at XI.
Suggestions on the team vs West Ham?
After a five-day gap last week, United will have less than 70 hours to prepare for the tricky trip to West Ham on Saturday at tea time. Solskjaer has to choose teams with the next game in mind and beyond, so some players could be considered more suitable starters at London Stadium than against PSG.
Tactical surprise on a back three?
If Solskjaer insists on a back three without Tuanzebe and Shaw, then his standout option may not be a center midfield. Center-back Eric Bailly has not played since Tottenham’s win and Teden Mengi has played just nine minutes of senior football.
McTominay is now part of Scotland’s defensive trident and Solskjaer speculated about his “better position” the other week.
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