■ KEY ISSUES FOR REDS

DOES ODION IGHALO START?

THE short answer would be ‘no’. Ighalo last played in the Premier League more than three years ago, has not started a football match since December 1, did not train with his new team-mates in Marbella, and has had two training sessions with them at Carrington. There are times where the United recruitment department appears like the redundant department.

Yet the Reds have not scored in four of their past five league games, Marcus Rashford netted four of their six goals against Chelsea this term, Anthony Martial is looking bereft as the number nine and played his best football on the left flank.

Chelsea’s defence is so porous they would probably struggle to handle Ighalo and United could do with an element of surprise in an impotent attack.

■

WHERE DOES MARTIAL START?

YOU could count Martial’s truly outstanding performances as a centreforward on one hand, whereas his standout moments for United have come as a winger.

Even as a substitute, Martial’s emergence signalled permission for United to run riot in the ruthless start to 2017-18 when they plundered eight goals after he was introduced in four matches.

The 24-year-old has amassed a creditable 12 goals in 24 starts at the tip of the arrow this season but Martial still does not convince as a lone striker.

■

BACK TO A BACK THREE?

UNITED switched to a defensive trident for the League Cup win at Chelsea, and a repeat tonight would likely include Luke Shaw, respectable in a back three at Liverpool and City last month.

That would allow Solskjaer to trial Fernandes in the hole behind Martial, and possibly Daniel James, in the split striker tactic which worked well against Chelsea and Liverpool back in October.

The caveat is Martial and James are so out of form that starting both would be generous.