Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has made three changes to the lineup that started out against Newcastle ahead of Manchester United’s Champions League tie against Paris Saint-Germain.
Solskjaer is deploying a 5-3-2 formation against last season’s Champions League finalists, with this tactic perhaps being called on in order to strengthen the defence against a clinical side in PSG.
Only one of the changes to the lineup is away from the defensive line, with Anthony Martial partnering Marcus Rashford up top as the Frenchman is currently suspended in the Premier League.
With Eric Bailly and club captain Harry Maguire out, a centre-back three will be in play consisting of Victor Lindelof, academy graduate Axel Tuanzebe and Luke Shaw.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka will be at right wing-back with Deadline Day signing Alex Telles making his debut on the left.
? Your #MUFC team news is locked in! ?
Here's our starting XI for matchday 1?? of the 2020/21 #UCL ?
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) October 20, 2020
Here’s how some of the United faithful have reacted to Solskjaer’s teamsheet:
Extremely defensive ? no Pogba?
— Hassan Natha ? (@HassanNatha) October 20, 2020
Have you seen that midfield
— Somatic (@PPogbaIn) October 20, 2020
What does Van de beek have to do man ?????
— Kristian Orchard (@Orch06) October 20, 2020
What’s my man Donny gotta do ?
— Joe Nelder (@JoeNelder) October 20, 2020
Would’ve gone for Donny over Fred on the right side of that 3.
— Dylan Hector (@dylanhector_) October 20, 2020
Is VDB only here to sit on the bench?
— Sumit (@MufcSumit) October 20, 2020
Based the available players, I think this is the best team we could put out there.
— Jamesy Cantona ????? (@JamesyCantona) October 20, 2020
The biggest omission is Paul Pogba being left on the bench, with Fred and Scott McTominay maintaining their places in midfielder behind the side’s key creator Bruno Fernandes.
Summer signing Donny van de Beek has also been left on the bench once again, the Dutchman can’t seem to get a start for the Red Devils in an important game.
All eyes will be on the backline though, Tuanzebe is making his first senior appearance last December, we’re excited to see the highly-rated prospect back in acton after such a lengthy layoff.
Shaw did have some success as a left centre-back when Solskjaer went with a similar formation last season, will the England international hold up to the test of Kylian Mbappe and Neymar though?
Well I believe Telles will be moving forward and Shaw should ready to hold that place tight. Success all d way
pogba has been better off the bench lately and vdb is maybe the new ole super sub. keep psg quite for an hour then see what we can do
well said. you were proved right. Ole proved that he is good tactically
Pogba wants to leave , I would not have him near the bench. Start getting used to live without him.. We need to play that system more ,it gives us cover and body’s back. It’s ok have a team that can break but not much use if it’s picked off with just 3 or 4 defending. Last night we defended as a team. Fantastic result.i would like to see VDB start. Martial frustrates me, shame Greenwood was injured he’d have scored as would cavani. Pogba needs to be more selfish
well you wannabe manager fans ….. cheering Ole’s good tactical astute atfer slating him ??? what hypocirites. !