Manchester United return to action in the FA Cup fourth round against Middlesbrough on Friday.
Ralf Rangnick’s team had finally begun to gain traction with victories over Brentford and West Ham, but that had to be put on hold owing to a two-week Christmas break.
The majority of the squad has taken some time off during the break, though Edinson Cavani, Fred, Alex Telles, Eric Bailly, and Hannibal have all been abroad on international duty with their respective countries.
Rangnick will be able to test his team ahead of United’s return to Premier League action against Burnley on Tuesday, and here are five players who should start at Old Trafford.
Lingard
With Anthony Martial, Amadou Diaby, and Donny van de Beek permitted to depart on loan in January, and Mason Greenwood no longer available, Manchester United’s attacking options have been significantly diminished heading into the second half of the season.
Lingard, who hasn’t started a league game for United in almost two years and was told he could leave on loan before the club changed their minds, may now have to play much more frequently than they planned.
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Juan Mata is in a similar situation and could see action on Friday as well, albeit from the bench.
Pogba
Pogba should start against Boro if he is fully fit and ready.
Rangnick was taken aback when the Frenchman returned to training more than a week ago, a month ahead of the plan after suffering a thigh injury while on international duty in November.
He has continued to train during the break, and a return on Friday would be a terrific opportunity for him to get back into the swing of things and provide United with a much-needed boost to their midfield options as they fight for the top four heats up.
Henderson
Henderson is another player who didn’t get the loan transfer he sought in January because Rangnick decided he wanted to keep him in case anything happened to David de Gea.
It appears unlikely that Henderson will be able to unseat the Spaniard in goal for the remainder of the season, but he should at least start in the FA Cup, preferably against lower league opponents, to keep his morale as high as possible for the remainder of the season.
Rashford
Though most footballers would have appreciated the last two weeks off, it couldn’t have happened at a worse moment for Rashford.
After being without a goal since October, the striker had just begun to find a hot streak of form, scoring two games in a row.
Both goals came from Rashford’s bench as he responded positively to being dropped, but the Christmas break may have damaged that momentum.
He should now return to the starting lineup to give him the best chance of getting the ball rolling and scoring for the third time in a row.
Shola Shoretire or Hannibal Shoretire?
Rangnick could take advantage of the opportunity to give another of the club’s bright prospects a chance against Middlesbrough, with Anthony Elanga already a regular starter in the first team.
After being without a goal since October, the striker had just begun to find a hot streak of form, scoring two games in a row.
Both goals came from Rashford’s bench as he responded positively to being dropped, but the Christmas break may have damaged that momentum.
He should now return to the starting lineup to give him the best chance of getting the ball rolling and scoring for the third time in a row.
