Manchester United team: Fernandes and Rashford benched as Solskjaer gives Van de Beek and Martial the nod

2 months ago 52

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has made a number of surprising selections ahead of Manchester United’s Champions League clash tonight, most notably leaving Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford on the bench.

It means there’s a start for summer signing Donny van de Beek, who plays alongside Paul Pogba, Fred and Nemanja Matic in midfield.

Fernandes is a surprise omission from Solskjaer’s starting XIGetty Images - Getty

But that means it’s Van de Beek’s time to shineGetty Images

Meanwhile, Anthony Martial replaces Rashford with the Frenchman currently serving a three-game domestic ban. Martial plays alongside Mason Greenwood up top.

There were fears Victor Lindelof wouldn’t be available for RB Leipzig’s visit but he starts at centre-back alongside Harry Maguire.

However, there’s no place in the squad for Alex Telles so Luke Shaw starts at left-back. Deadline day signing Edinson Cavani is on the bench.

As for Leipzig, rumoured Man United target Dayot Upamecano starts with Solskjaer admitting pre-match that he’s looking forward to seeing the centre-back in action.

Upamecano is high on Solskjaer’s agenda but the Frenchman is also wanted by other Premier League clubs

Manchester City loanee Angelino also starts for the German side. Below you can see how both sides line up.

Manchester United: De Gea, Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Maguire, Shaw, Matic, Fred, Pogba, Van de Beek, Greenwood, Martial

Subs: Henderson, Fosu-Mensah, Mengi, Tuanzebe, Williams, Fernandes, James, Mata, McTominay, Ighalo, Cavani, Rashford

RB Leipzig: Gulacsi, Konate, Upamecano, Halstenberg, Henrichs, Nkunku, Kampl, Angelino, Olmo, Poulsen, Forsberg

Subs: Orban, Sabitzer, Hwang, Tschauner, Adams, Sorloth, Samardzic, Kluivert,Martinez, Borkowski, Martel, Wosz

A win would put United in a great position to reach the last-16 with a double header against the softest team in the group, Istanbul Basaksehir, awaiting them.

Solskjaer’s men got their European campaign off to a brilliant start in their opening group match as a Fernandes penalty and late drive from Rashford gave them a 2-1 win at Paris Saint-Germain.