Man United travel to Sunderland this afternoon and Michael Carrick could make changes to his team.
Manchester United travel to Sunderland this evening(Image: Getty Images/Pick the Team)
Manchester United have three games remaining in the Premier League season. United secured Champions League football last weekend but the Reds will want to finish the campaign on a high.
Michael Carrick hinted on Thursday that changes could be made to give some fringe players an opportunity to impress. However, a raft of changes is unlikely. Lisandro Martinez is back from his three-match suspension and could start. Harry Maguire has not let Carrick down this season and should keep his spot.
Ayden Heaven has done nothing wrong but Carrick could be tempted to pair Leny Yoro with the experienced defender. Yoro was playing well up until his injury and deserves a run-out against Sunderland. Diogo Dalot and Luke Shaw have nailed down the full-back positions.
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Casemiro and Kobbie Mainoo will start in midfield. The Brazil international is in the last stretch of his farewell tour and deserves to start every game, fitness dependent. Attacking midfield is where changes are more likely.
Bruno Fernandes is still on the hunt for the assist record and he is the key to this United team. Benjamin Sesko had to be taken off after colliding with the advertising hoarding against Liverpool and Carrick said after the game United were being careful with him. This makes him the obvious option to drop out.
Bryan Mbeumo could then move from right wing to centre-forward. He has done well in that role previously and after struggling for form recently, a return up top could be just what is needed.
Amad’s mistake gave Liverpool a route back into last weekend’s game. He needs to play his way out of this form and a return to a stadium that holds happy memories for him could get him back on track. Matheus Cunha will start on the left ahead of Patrick Dorgu.
United predicted XI vs Sunderland: Lammens; Dalot, Yoro, Maguire, Shaw; Casemiro, Mainoo; Amad, Fernandes, Cunha, Mbeumo
Manchester United’s predicted line-up vs Sunderland