There’s no rest for Manchester United. A fourth game at Molineux in the space of 12 months is the FA Cup game we didn’t want.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has lost all three games away at Wolves, and heads into the game coming off a 2-0 defeat against Arsenal.
There are several selection dilemmas for Solskjaer ahead of the Saturday evening fixture.
Injury updates
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer gave updates on Eric Bailly, Timothy Fosu-Mensah, Axel Tuanzebe, Diogo Dalot, James Garner and Dylan Levitt in his morning press conference. These are the key notes:
Eric Bailly and Timothy Fosu-Mensah: Will make comebacks in under-23s soon.
Marcos Rojo and Axel Tuanzebe: Available ‘soon’. This weekend is possible but uncertain.
Diogo Dalot: Ready to return after coming through an under-19 friendly last month.
James Garner and Dylan Levitt: Have been injured, Garner will play for under-23s on Monday.
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Midfield conundrum
With Scott McTominay and Paul Pogba out injured too, United are desperately light in midfield.
It is likely that Fred and Nemanja Matic start, despite the Brazilian’s clear need for a rest. He has played 90 minutes for the last 14 Premier League games in a row.
There are just very little ways to rest him. Andreas Pereira could step in for him, with Juan Mata or Jesse Lingard in attacking midfield.
But in our view this would make United too weak. This is Wolves we are facing, not Colchester.
Pereira should start in attacking midfield and Fred and Matic will have to go again.
Defence and attack
Diogo Dalot will likely get his first start since October at right-back, while Brandon Williams should come back in on the left.
Tuanzebe and Rojo appear short of fitness for this one, and we are worried we might see Phil Jones return to partner Harry Maguire if United choose to rest Victor Lindelöf.
In attack it is likely Anthony Martial will get a rest, and Mason Greenwood gets the chance to lead the line.
An alternative is Martial starts, Greenwood plays on the wing and Dan James gets a rest.
United could also consider playing Dalot on the wing and starting Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Ashley Young or even Ethan Laird at right-back.
Further options available remains Tahith Chong and Angel Gomes, if United want fresh legs in attack, although a bench spot is probably the best either can aspire to.
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