Is Wolves game more important than the Manchester derby?

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United got some much-needed respite on Sunday with a 6-0 thumping of Tranmere Rovers but another big week is looming.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer takes his side to the Etihad Stadium to face Manchester City tonight before they host Wolves on Saturday night.

But is there a case for saying the Wolves match is more important than the City one tonight?

First leg leaves United on back foot

United go to the Etihad 3-1 down from a first leg humbling at Old Trafford.

Solskjaer’s side managed to overturn a two-goal first leg home defeat against PSG in March but it would be a surprise if lightning did strike twice.

There is a case to be made for United – with their thin, injury-hit squad – not going hell for leather to try and beat the odds, despite the identity of the opponents and potentially being 90 minutes from Wembley.

Sign off with a win

After the Wolves game on Saturday, United don’t have another game until travelling to face Chelsea on February 17.

The news cycle will spin more intensively in a fortnight without a game and the scrutiny on Solskjaer will be intense if United haven’t signed off with a win.

United have two weeks to have a breather and get to a point where they can challenge for the top four and it would be a real boost to go into that period on the back of a win.

How will that impact team selection?

There’s always the chance that Solskjaer will go for it with his best time to try and beat the odds.

But if he doesn’t, managing his limited resources and putting a greater emphasis on the Premier League rather than chasing an unlikely comeback, how would it impact the team selection?

Mason Greenwood might expect a game and Phil Jones, who netted at Tranmere, might expect to continue in the side.

Diogo Dalot also scored on Sunday and might continue to deputise for Aaron Wan-Bissaka, although the Englishman’s superior defensive work might be useful against the likes of Raheem Sterling.

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