Manchester United will not have as many options as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer hoped for against AC Milan.
Anthony Martial and Edinson Cavani have not travelled to Italy, depleting United’s attacking choices.
This makes United a little easier to predict in terms of how the team will set up, at least.
From the back
There is a big decision in goal to make, with David de Gea returning. It may not be totally clear cut that Europa League ‘keeper Dean Henderson will start.
We think he will – but don’t be surprised if Solskjaer rotates the team and brings back De Gea for this big game.
United’s defence is more straightforward to project due to the injury sustained by Eric Bailly.
Victor Lindelof will start alongside Harry Maguire. Perhaps he was going to anyway, but the injury takes the decision out of Solskjaer’s hands.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka is a sure starter at right-back. Left-back is a little more uncertain, but given the magnitude of this game, Luke Shaw will probably come in for Alex Telles, who played in the first leg.
Where does Paul Pogba fit in?
Getting Paul Pogba into the team is the most challenging aspect of United’s team selection, but given the lack of attacking options – it might have a simple answer.
In January, United picked Pogba in a wide role in matches away at Liverpool and Arsenal, while keeping the midfield duo of Scott McTominay and Fred.
This is likely the approach United take here, with Pogba lining up wide on the right, Rashford left, and Mason Greenwood up front.
This 4-2-3-1 formation could quite easily adapt to a 4-4-2 diamond, with both Fernandes and Pogba providing an attacking threat.
Amad Diallo, Dan James, and Donny van de Beek would all be attacking options United could call upon from the bench.
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