Ruben Amorim has some key decisions to make as he selects his Manchester United side to face Chelsea tomorrow, knowing that he needs to get a win to take the pressure off himself.
United have started the season poorly, managing just one win and a draw, with three losses including an ignominious exit from the League Cup courtesy of Grimsby Town.
There are four positions on the pitch that are particularly difficult to predict in his selection tomorrow – goalkeeper, left centre back, right wing back and centre forward.
Defence
United invested in the Royal Antwerp keeper, Senne Lammens, in the summer, but Amorim did not want to risk him against Manchester City in the derby. However, another poor performance by Altay Bayindir must leave the head coach hoping for a miracle. We think he will gamble on Lammens tomorrow and if the 22 year old rises to the occasion, it could give the whole team a lift.
The back three is likely to stay the same although Luke Shaw was also poor against City, so it is possible he could be replaced. If so, Nouss Mazraoui could come in at RCB with Leny Yoro switching to LCB, Harry Maguire could come in with Matthijs de Ligt on the right and Yoro on the left, or Ayden Heaven could start in a straight swap for Shaw.
On balance, we expect Shaw to keep his place but all eyes will be on him as he attempts to put the derby debacle behind him.
Wing Backs and Midfield
Patrick Dorgu was excellent against City and should keep his place at LWB. Nouss Mazraoui may also keep his place at RWB, but if Amorim decides to go for it, Amad could return to that role, with Mazraoui returning to the bench.
We have predicted Amorim will roll the dice with the Ivorian, but it could equally be the Moroccan who gets the nod.
In central midfield, Bruno Fernandes and Manu Ugarte are likely to continue after playing pretty well against City. Casemiro and Kobbie Mainoo are alternatives.
Forwards
Amorim has confirmed that Matheus Cunha and Mason Mount are fit again. We think Cunha will come straight back into the side, probably in the left forward role, with Benjamin Sesko at centre forward and Bryan Mbeumo at right forward.
The other likely option is for Sesko to drop back to the bench, with Mount (or Amad) playing left forward and Mbeumo on the right.
With all that said, here is our predicted Xi for tomorrow’s 5.30pm kick off at Old Trafford:
Featured image Shaun Botterill via Getty Images
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Red Billy
Red Billy is the managing editor of The Peoples Person, author of three books and totally obsessed with football’s transfer market. Billy still insists Matteo Darmian and Alex Telles could have made it at United given half a chance.
