By Frank Kamuntu
Manchester United take on Everton at Old Trafford in the Premier League today.
Ruben Amorim claimed the first win of his tenure against Bodo/Glimt in the Europe League in midweek and United’s new head coach will be hopeful of securing back-to-back wins.
United drew with Ipswich Town last weekend, but the players were beginning to gel in Amorim’s new system against Bodo/Glimt and there were promising signs for the weeks ahead.
Everton are among the favourites to be relegated from the Premier League and returned from the international break with a goalless draw against Brentford at Goodison Park.
Samuel Luckhurst
Amorim probably made too many changes against Bodo/Glimt and, despite the tight turnaround, it would be logical to reduce that number against Everton.
The back three picks itself with four other centre backs out of the running and Amorim cannot revert to Casemiro as a starting midfielder. Christian Eriksen would have more merit as United are certain to hog the ball today but Bruno Fernandes should continue there, having excelled from deep against Everton in the past.
That means Mason Mount should start in the Premier League for the first time in 99 days. Alejandro Garnacho had a mixed night on Thursday and should get a breather while Rasmus Hojlund needs to try and build on his two goals.
Tyrone Marshall
Amorim has picked 17 starters across two games but his selection is becoming clearer after a week of auditions. Noussair Mazraoui is now one of the first names on the team sheet and Matthijs de Ligt and Lisandro Martinez should start with him. Amad and Diogo Dalot are in pole position for those wing-back roles.
The midfield and attacking areas will see rotation. Manuel Ugarte should start again this weekend and I would keep his partnership with Fernandes going. Kobbie Mainoo hasn’t got off the bench yet and is unlikely to be ready to start, while Fernandes has looked good in a deeper role.
That allows Mount to play in one of the No.10 roles and I would again pair him with Garnacho. There will be a temptation to rotate in attack, but Hojlund is the best No.9 at the club, so give him a run of games.
Luke Shaw has come on from the bench to play in the back three in his two appearances under Amorim but it would be great to see him at left-wing back here, with Amad starting on the other side.
Mainoo hasn’t been given a single minute since Amorim’s appointment but we should only start to get worried if he’s not involved this afternoon. It’s logical to start Ugarte alongside him and move Fernandes, who played in a deeper position in midweek, back into one the attacking roles.
Marcus Rashford led the attack against Ipswich but Hojlund scored a brace against Bodo/Glimt and deserves to start.
George Smith
The defensive line picks itself following the triumph over Bodo/Glimt. Mazraoui has established himself as undroppable figure, De Ligt is well-placed to start in the centre and Martinez is tailor-made for the left-sided centre-back role.
Amad should be reinstated at right-wing back after showing signs of promise in that particular berth at Ipswich. However, I would like to see Shaw, provided he is fit enough, to start in the opposite wing-back role after two cameo appearances.
Ugarte will now be hoping to establish himself as a regular starter after starting in midweek. Mainoo should be considered as an option to play alongside him.
Hojlund has to start after his midweek display. Fernandes and Garnacho should support him in attack.
Have An Advert Or Article You Want Us To Publish? Email: [email protected]
