Manchester United have an opportunity to name a rotated team this week against Young Boys.
The Champions League group top spot is already sewn-up, an impressive achievement considering the team lost the opening game in Switzerland.
United have a chance for revenge for that shock defeat, although the principle aim of the evening will be for new interim manager Ralf Rangnick to get to better know his squad.
Rangnick could potentially make 11 changes to the side which started against Crystal Palace on Sunday. With several players also featuring just days earlier against Arsenal, it would make sense to rest stars who played in both fixtures.
United will follow this Young Boys game up with two away fixtures in a week against Norwich and Brentford. It makes perfect sense to rotate the team.
What are the changes Rangnick could make?
Some of these are dependent on positive fitness updates. We still don’t have clarity on the condition of Luke Shaw, Jesse Lingard, and Anthony Martial, who missed the weekend fixture. But they aren’t believed to be too far away and could come into contention for the midweek game.
Phil Jones won’t feature. He was not registered in United’s Champions League squad and is not eligible to make his return.
Goalkeeper: This game presents a rare chance for Dean Henderson to play his first match since September. The Englishman has a chance to impress Rangnick, who will decide whether to keep him to compete with David de Gea, or send him out on loan.
Defence: There are two probable changes, with Eric Bailly and Aaron Wan-Bissaka coming into the starting line-up. Both players were on the bench at the weekend against Crystal Palace.
The other options are to bring in Luke Shaw at left-back if he is fit. There could be a surprise opportunity for Teden Mengi in defence alongside Bailly – if Rangnick is determined to rest both Victor Lindelof and Harry Maguire. This game will come too soon for Raphael Varane, unfortunately.
Midfield: There are two simple changes Rangnick can make, with Fred and Scott McTominay coming out of the side to conserve their energy for the games ahead. Nemanja Matic and Donny van de Beek will start as their replacements and have a chance to stake their claims for starting spots under the new interim boss.
Further forward, there are two attacking spots in Rangnick’s 4-2-2-2 system. Jesse Lingard could thrive in one of these, if he is fit. If not, then Juan Mata could make an equally rare start for the club.
The system could also suit Amad, giving him a free attacking role if selected to make his first start of the season. This match is a great opportunity for the Ivorian to get some game time.
Up front: Cristiano Ronaldo would dearly love to try and score for a sixth Champions League game in succession. He may have to settle for a place on the bench, as United have other options in need of game time.
Mason Greenwood will be one of the strikers after coming on and providing the game winning assist at the weekend.
As for who partners him, this will be dependent on Anthony Martial’s fitness. If the Frenchman is not ready to start, then youngster Anthony Elanga could get his opportunity, having come off the bench at the weekend. The one wildcard is Edinson Cavani, if the Uruguayan makes a surprise return. Elanga will likely have some involvement, even if he has to settle for a place on the bench.
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