Manchester United return to action in the FA Cup on Friday night, taking on Middlesbrough for the fourth round tie at Old Trafford.
The match kicks off a run of seven games in February and United need to get the month off to a strong start.
Here is a look at five questions we have ahead of the fixture as Ralf Rangnick’s side prepare to play the first game in two weeks…
Is there a reaction to the Greenwood situation?
United entered the international break in good spirits after back to back wins lifted the team back into the Premier League’s top four.
The Mason Greenwood situation has the potential to knock the side off their stride. The Mail report United have been ‘plunged into crisis’ by the events.
‘‘Everyone is very shaken up,’ claims one source, to The Mail, referencing players and staff’s shock at the ongoing developments.
This could just be paper talk, capitalising on the situation. But if United are beaten at home by Championship side Middlesbrough on Friday, expect plenty of correlation between the results and the events to be made.
It is up to the players to try their best to keep focus on the pitch and get a good result. Beginning the month with a comfortable victory will reset talk to football ahead of a crucial month which includes a Champions League first leg with Atletico Madrid.
Can Cristiano Ronaldo get back among the goals?
Cristiano Ronaldo will be desperate to get on the scoresheet. He always is, and will be even more so after a slow start to 2022.
Ronaldo has not scored yet this calendar year, and this will be weighing on his mind. His lack of goals is partly down to a hip injury which saw him miss two games.
Even so, there is a sense manager Ralf Rangnick has not quite figured him out yet, with Ronaldo scoring just two goals in seven games under the new manager.
The game against Middlesbrough is an ideal chance for Ronaldo to add to his 14 goals for the season and get his 2022 up and running. The longer he goes without a goal, the more frustrated he will become.
Is Jadon Sancho ready to show why Manchester United bought him?
Jadon Sancho is now United’s clear first choice right wing option. He needs to step up and start picking up some momentum.
Regular football will help him, he has completed 90 minutes only five times this season. But he is out of rhythm, missing the last two games due to a family bereavement.
This game against Middlesbrough is a good opportunity for Sancho to start getting up to speed. United need him to perform, and he is expected to start the fixture after returning to training this week.
Can Paul Pogba and Bruno Fernandes start in the same midfield?
Paul Pogba is fit again and expected to start. With Fred due back at Carrington late thanks to international involvement with Brazil, he is most likely to make way.
This leaves United with a midfield three of Bruno Fernandes, Scott McTominay and Paul Pogba. It is a trio most balanced towards attack rather than defence.
Playing against Championship opposition, United may get away with it. It is crucial the trio can work together well in this match, otherwise Ralf Rangnick will be fearful of using the trio against Premier League teams.
If that is the case, then Rangnick will be forced to consider Pogba or Fernandes, with only one selected, or alternatively deploy Pogba as a winger like Ole Gunnar Solskjaer previously did.
Is Dean Henderson due to get a chance in goal?
Manchester United chose not to grant Dean Henderson a loan move in January. So it may be considered ‘fair’ to bring him in to start this cup fixture. Henderson was United’s ‘cup goalkeeper’ last season.
Whether Rangnick is interested in ‘fair’ and rotation is unclear. Henderson was a substitute for United’s third round clash against Aston Villa.
Bringing in Henderson will keep him engaged and fresh for when he really is needed, and the Championship level opponents may make a decision to rotate a little easier.
It is always hard to leave David de Gea out though, and with the Spaniard just winning United’s player of the month award for January, resting him may be considered an unnecessary risk.
Who starts in central defence?
Raphael Varane has been in good form through January and the big question seems to be who his partner should be.
Victor Lindelof seemed to be the preferred option before his home was burgled, causing him to miss the match with West Ham.
Harry Maguire came into the side against West Ham and looked to be back on form, helping United to keep a clean sheet in the win at Old Trafford.
This has presented Rangnick with a dilemma, and it’s possible he could experiment and play all three centre-backs.
It’s also possible he rests Varane for the Premier League game against Burnley next Tuesday, and lets both Lindelof and Maguire stake their claims against Middlesbrough.
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