admin
Predicted Manchester United XI vs Wolfsburg
After facing three consecutive frustrating draws, Louis Van Gaal and Manchester United will travel to Volkswagen Arena in Germany to face Wolfsburg in search for a win. This will be the last match in the group stages of UEFA Champions League. A win would ensure Manchester United’s qualification to the next round. However, United have some injury setbacks and it will be difficult for them to face Wolfsburg away, who currently lead the Group B in Champions League. Louis Van Gaal still have a good enough squad to defeat Wolfsburg. Here is our predicted starting XI.
Goalkeeper – David De Gea There is no question here. Sergio Romero and Victor Valdes are two goalkeepers with quite a good reputation, but they don’t have a good relationship with LVG and they won’t play for United in such a crucial game. De Gea is too good to be benched in the first place. De Gea will have a busy night.
Defenders – Ashley Young, Chris Smalling, Daley Blind, Matteo Darmian Even though Manchester United are without their key defenders: Marcos Rojo, Phil Jones, Luke Shaw and Antonio Valencia, their defense has been solid and has not given away many goals. The young, Paddy McNair, who started for United on Saturday also picked up an injury to make things worse for them. So, considering the lack of options in defense we expect Smalling, Darmian and Blind to keep their places. Ashley Young, who is not a natural wing back, will start for United as a fullback. Varela is an option for LVG, but it would be a big risk.
Midfielders – Bastian Schweinsteiger, Michael Carrick, Juan Mata, Memphis Depay, Marouane Fellaini Schweinsteiger does not have his old sharpness, but his experience is key for United in such a crucial game. And again Man Utd does not have many options here to rotate. It was Morgan Schneiderlin who started for United on Saturday but was subbed off in the first half because of an injury. The Frenchman will be unavailable for the Reds on Tuesday. Instead, we expect Michael Carrick (Schweinsteiger and Carrick are United’s only two experienced centre midfielders) to start. We expect both Mata and Fellaini to keep their places in the starting eleven. Fellaini last started for United more than two months ago. He was given a start in United’s premier league clash against West Ham on Saturday. He will be given another chance on Tuesday against Wolfsburg. Memphis Depay did not start for United in their previous two matches, instead it was Jesse Lingard who was shining for the Reds. Lingard started for United on Saturday against West Ham and played the full ninety minutes. Depay, on the other hand, came on as a substitute. We expect a fresh Depay to start against Wolfsburg.
Striker – Anthony Martial Anthony Martial started his Manchester United career with a bang. He scored a total of five goals for Manchester United within his two months at the club, but his form slowly wore off and now he hasn’t scored since October. He was often played out of position to accommodate Wayne Rooney and that played a part in his dipping form. With Wayne Rooney out with an injury, Anthony Martial will get the opportunity to shine in his preferred position.
