A fighting fit squad gives Ole headache
United boss has a lot to weigh up ahead of restart clash with Spurs
UNITED went 11 games unbeaten before the 2019/20 Premier League season was halted, putting them in a good position to secure a topfour finish.
But with the campaign set to resume next week and a fully fit squad at Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s disposal, there are decisions to be made in three key areas of the pitch.
Here’s a rundown of what they are’
■ POGBA TO PARTNER FERNANDES?
The arrival of Bruno Fernandes from Sporting Lisbon in January re-energised United, with the Portuguese hitting the ground running with three goals and four assists in his first nine appearances for his new club.
At the time, Fernandes was viewed by some as a pre-emptive replacement for Paul Pogba, with the 27-year-old expected to leave Old Trafford this summer.
Now, the Frenchman looks likely to stay put – for next season at least – so Solskjaer has a decision to make on how he utilises both. Fernandes is a guaranteed starter but it is feasible that Pogba starts on the bench in North London.
If they do both start, then the third man in United’s midfield will have to be defensive-minded, and that could mean Fred is harshly dropped in order to accommodate Nemanja Matic or Scott McTominay.
■ WHO SHOULD PLAY AT THE BASE OF MIDFIELD?
Following on from that point, Matic would perhaps be the most natural choice to anchor United’s midfield, but McTominay and Fred are both options there, even if the latter might not be steely enough for such a role.
Matic enjoyed a career renaissance earlier this year, starting nine of United’s 10 league games before the season was suspended and earning an extra year’s contract in the process. The Serb might just be United’s most likely option.
■ SHAW OR WILLIAMS AT LEFT-BACK?
Brandon Williams has impressed for United this season, making his breakthrough under Solskjaer and giving United another option at left-back. Luke Shaw, meanwhile, has enjoyed his most consistent season to date as a United player and that might just be because of the challenge Williams has provided him with.
In January it looked as though Williams was on his way to usurping Shaw as United’s first-choice left-back but Shaw responded emphatically in the two months before the season was halted and, although Williams is in the equation to feature against Spurs, it would be a surprise to see him get the nod over Shaw.
Fernandes is a guaranteed started but it’s feasible Pogba starts on the bench Graham Ruthven