Predicted Manchester United Line-up To Face CSKA Moscow In The Champions League
Jose Mourinho will be delighted after the weekend’s result at the Emirates as his side managed to pick up a 3-1 victory against Arsenal, to keep pace with Manchester City, who are running away with the title. The Red Devils are back in action this mid-week in their final game of the group stage of the Champions League this season.
They face CSKA Moscow at Old Trafford and will hope to make amends for their loss to FC Basel in the previous round. The Russian outfit need a result to stay in the hunt for qualification while United have already moved into the next round and are in very little danger of losing their top spot. So Mourinho might rest a few key players but should go with a strong side.
Team News
Marouane Fellaini, Phil Jones, Michael Carrick and Eric Bailly remain out for this game due to injuries. Paul Pogba received a red against Arsenal but is available for this game while Nemanja Matic has been ruled out by the manager. Luke Shaw and Sergio Romero are expected to feature in the starting XI. Zlatan Ibrahimovic has been ruled out of this game and will not play a part.
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Manager: Jose Mourinho
GK – Sergio Romero
After a stupendous display at the Emirates, De Gea deserves a rest and this should see Romeo start this game for his side.
RB – Matteo Darmian
The Italian full-back has not been able to break into the first-team this season but will get a chance to impress against the Russian side.
CB – Victor Lindelof
Slowly settling into life at Old Trafford, injuries to key players should see Lindelof start yet again for United.
CB – Chris Smalling
The English international has not been at his best, playing in a back-3. He should partner Lindelof in a CB pairing, to retain their confidence for the show-stopper at the weekend.
LB – Luke Shaw
The English international has been on the periphery of the first-team this season but Mourinho revealed that he will be in the squad for this game and could start at left-back.
CM – Ander Herrera
Injury to Matic should see Spanish midfielder Herrera take up the role as the deepest midfielder in this game.
CM – Paul Pogba
The French international is out suspended for the Manchester derby at the weekend and is an automatic starter against Moscow.
RW – Juan Mata
Mata has not been preferred in the first-team by Mourinho but with United not too desperate for a victory, he could start on the right-hand side of the attack on Tuesday.
CAM – Henrikh Mkhitaryan
Another player who has fallen out of favour recently, Mkhitaryan is also expected to be given a chance in this game.
LW – Marcus Rashford
With Martial showing decent form, Rashford has lost his first-team spot but should start this tie on the left-hand side of the attack.
ST – Romelu Lukaku
The Belgian has been out of form recently but this game could give him a chance to find some lost confidence.