The lads go to Old Trafford this afternoon off the back of an excellent win at Nottingham Forest last time out – and Regis Le Bris has a few selection options as he looks to seize the opportunity to add
to our already impressive points tally. Last week Arthur Masuaku replaced the suspended Reinildo – and with the Mozambiquian still suspended it’ll be interesting to see if Masuaku gets another run out, or we get Geertruida into the team. Further up the field, Rigg has replace Diarra for the past two games – but with Simon Adingra, Brian Brobbey, Elezier Mayenda and Bertrand Traore waiting in the wings there are plenty of options for the manager to consider. Here’s how I think we’ll line up this afternoon.
Goalkeeper: Robin Roefs
Roefs was back to his very best last week at Forest, and turned in an excellent all-round display. He didn’t have to make any spectacular saves as such, as his positioning was so good – he dominates the box superbly, and his distribution is exception too.
Defence: Lutsharel Geertruida, Nordi Mukiele, Omar Alderete, Trai Hume
We could potentially see a change here, both to get Geertruida into the team and to counteract the threat of Amad, who’ll be hoping to turn in a good display against the club that is his spiritual home. There was good news in the week when Le Bris confirmed Mukiele is fit despite message board rumours, and if so I can’t see us disrupting what has so far been an incredibly solid partnership with Alderete. Masuaku came in last week and, while he understandably looked a little rusty I thought he did pretty well. At right back, I thought Hume struggled a bit last week against a very good left winger. I think we’ll give Geertruida the nod at right back today, and if so at left back it’ll be a straight fight between Hume and Masuaku. Whoever plays there will be up against Amad, so it’ll be a choice of whether we opt for Hume’s defensive strength to nulify the Ivorian, or we bank on Masuaka being able to keep him pinned back at the other end. I’ll go for Hume, but it’d be a massive call for Le Bris to leave out Masuaku after just one game.
Midfield: Granit Xhaka, Noah Sadiki, Enzo Le Fee
Chris Rigg was always going to get the nod last week after his early forced withdrawal against Villa, however, I think we’ll want to get Adingra’s pace and ball carrying ability into the team today, which means Le Fee could drop into the centre of the park where he’s more naturally at home. Xhaka, of course, will anchor the midfield, with Sadiki taking his usual place to his left.
Attack: Chemsdine Talbi, Wilson Isidor, Simon Adingra
Wilson Isidor should have scored early on last week, and with Brian Brobbey breathing down his neck he’ll be hoping for a good performance today. I think Adingra will be in the team today to bring a little more natural width on the left to stretch the United defence – and all three are pacey and can carry the ball at speed; which could be crucial on the counterattack.
d ball carrying could be important
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