4-3-3: United will crush Leeds with this explosive line-up
Raphael Varane and Nemanja Matic will return to Manchester United’s matchday squad for tomorrow’s Premier League match against Leeds United.
However, Edinson Cavani is still out due to a groin injury and illness and will not be available.
Varane’s availability creates a quandary for manager Ralf Rangnick in terms of team selection.
Varane is widely regarded as Manchester United’s top center back and should be recalled. As a result, the question is likely to be, who will make way? Harry Maguire is the captain, but his recent performances have earned him harsh criticism. Victor Lindelof has done almost nothing wrong.
Rangnick was categorical at the pre-match press conference that Maguire will remain captain until the end of the season, but whether that means he would remain in the starting XI is another question.
Many fans would definitely want to see a Varane/Lindelof partnership, but we believe Maguire will be retained – however, another poor performance will almost certainly result in the management taking action.
The rest of the defense, including fullbacks Diogo Dalot and Luke Shaw, and goalkeeper David de Gea, is expected to remain unaltered.
Matic’s presence in midfield provides the manager with an option, although Scott McTominay will most likely continue in the holding midfield role. The remaining midfield positions will be filled by two of Bruno Fernandes, Paul Pogba, and Fred.
Fred brings more industry and energy to the team, but United stepped up a notch when Pogba replaced him in midweek. It’s a difficult call, but we think the Bruno – Pogba combination, which has been virtually telepathic recently, will be reinstalled.
With Cavani out, Cristiano Ronaldo will almost probably start in the center of the field.
After one of his career’s longest goal droughts, and the longest in 11 and a half years (587 minutes), Ronaldo netted with a magnificent strike against Brighton on Tuesday, and the floodgates could well re-open for him immediately.
Although Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford are likely to flank him, Anthony Elanga and Jesse Lingard are options if Rangnick believes either should be rested.
With that in mind, here is our expected starting XI for the trip to Elland Road:
