How experimental are Manchester United prepared to be in the Europa League against Astana this week?
Let’s face it, nobody fancies a long trip to Kazakhstan at this time of year and United need to protect and rest key players for the Premier League home game with Aston Villa days later.
Fortunately we have already qualified, and have a full cast of talented youngsters who might be ready to seize a big opportunity.
United have a lot of options, and could field as many as 10 young players for the Europa League dead rubber.
Now obviously we don’t expect Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to start all 10, there will need to be balance.
But this is an example of the team United are capable of fielding, and the options available.
Mason Greenwood, Largie Ramazani, Tahith Chong, Angel Gomes, James Garner, Dylan Levitt, Ethan Laird, Dishon Bernard, Matej Kovar, and Axel Tuanzebe are the academy talents in contention for places. Many have either featured for the first team, or have trained with Solskjaer’s side already.
Who is missing?
This team does not feature Brandon Williams, who really does fit with the rest of his under-23 pals. But he is too important to the first team right now. He needs to be rested for this trip.
Striker D’Mani Mellor and defender Teden Mengi also trained with United’s first team last week, and could be options, although they probably are not ready for the first team just yet.
This squad of players would allow United to rest all of the expected starters to face Villa, including key players Marcus Rashford, David de Gea, Fred, Anthony Martial, Dan James and Harry Maguire.
A midfield experiment of Dylan Levitt and James Garner could be United’s future at the position. Playing them together could help them each play their best games.
The player we are most excited to see is Ethan Laird, a right-back who loves to attack. He could offer United a completely new option if he seizes his chance.
What will probably change?
This won’t be the team United go with, although it would be a major statement if Solskjaer did.
It is most likely that Nemanja Matic will be involved in midfield, as could Diogo Dalot, possibly on the wing.
And sadly we will probably see Phil Jones at centre-back despite his woeful performance at the weekend.
Established back-up Sergio Romero is a more likely starter in goal than Matej Kovar.
Angel Gomes badly needs game time with the first team, so we hope United don’t go with Juan Mata instead.
Garner, Greenwood and Tuanzebe at the very least should be certainties to start. We hope there are at least three more youngsters too.
Assistant coach Michael Carrick told United We Stand last week that young players will get chances over the season: “There will be more getting their chances in the months to come and we want to keep that rolling on.”
It won’t be quite this many in Astana, and not all of these players may travel, but these are the options available at this stage to Solskjaer for the unusual 3.30pm kick-off on Thursday.
For some of these players, just getting selected on the bench will be progress.
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