Rotation is expected and necessary when Manchester United host Rochdale in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday.
Injuries have stretched United’s options and the following Premier League game against Arsenal has to be a priority.
This is another chance for United to get the youngsters more involved, but there needs to be balance in the team selection.
Rochdale themselves are struggling, sitting in 17th place in League One.
Injury news
The Manchester Evening News report Paul Pogba is expected to be fit to return and face Rochdale. This is a boost for United and could be the game he needs to get right.
Mason Greenwood should be fit, Premier Injuries report, after his bout of tonsillitis.
Anthony Martial and Luke Shaw are both hoping to be available for the Arsenal fixture, with this match possibly coming a bit too soon.
Key decisions
Goalkeeper: The Carabao Cup might be Lee Grant’s only chance of game time this season, with Sergio Romero the Europa League starter. Its possible he gets the nod.
Defence: Marcos Rojo did well against Astana, but young full-back Brandon Williams deserves a chance himself at left-back, and this is his last shot before Luke Shaw returns. This will be another chance for Axel Tuanzebe and Diogo Dalot to shine.
Midfield: James Garner made the bench against Astana and this is an ideal opportunity for the teenager to get his first start. What an opportunity he could have alongside Pogba.
Front four: Angel Gomes and Tahith Chong need the chance to try and kick on after featuring against Astana last week. There should also be a call for under-23s star man Largie Ramazani on the wing after his superb form with four goals in six games.
Jesse Lingard up front is not ideal, but United need to protect Greenwood for the Arsenal fixture next week and needs must.
On the bench
United should keep firepower on the bench with Mason Greenwood and fellow teenager D’Mani Mellor ready to step in for Lingard if required.
The likes of Fred, Juan Mata and Dan James should all be options if the attack needs a boost, while Marcos Rojo can be a back-up option in defence.
United need to use this game to experiment, and to continue to build. It might not be pretty, but this team is capable of winning at Old Trafford and progressing into the next round.
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