Man Utd play Sunderland in the Premier League on Saturday and here’s how our writers think they should line up.
Steven is a senior writer and covers Manchester United for the Manchester Evening News. You can follow Steven on Twitter at @StevenRailston.
United take on Sunderland this afternoon.(Image: Getty Images)
Manchester United take on Sunderland in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon.
United sources clarified the club’s position on Ruben Amorim following last weekend’s setback against Brentford, insisting that Amorim still retains the backing of the board.
Amorim looked like a manager under pressure on the touchline at the Gtech Community Stadium and will be desperate to head into the October international break with a win against Sunderland.
Sunderland were promoted to the top-flight last season. The Black Cats heavily invested in the summer transfer window and their spending has been vindicated by a great start to the campaign.
Regarding the team news, Amad is available for selection again after suffering a family bereavement.
Here’s how our writers think United should line up:
David McDonnell
Every weekend we question whether Kobbie Mainoo will be handed a first Premier League start of the season and every time he starts on the bench.
Casemiro is back from suspension and I would start Mainoo alongside him in midfield, and do the unthinkable – bench skipper Bruno Fernandes, who has been well below his best this season and may need the jolt of being left out.
Leny Yoro should come back into the starting line-up, as should Amad, who missed the defeat at Brentford on compassionate grounds following a family bereavement.
I would also give Senne Lammens his United debut and drop Altay Bayindir to the bench. Keeping the same personnel has not worked so far for Amorim, so something has to give.
Lammens; De Ligt, Maguire, Yoro; Amad, Casemiro, Mainoo, Dorgu; Cunha, Sesko, Mbeumo
Steven Railston
Yoro should return to the starting line-up after being moved to the bench for the last two games. And Amorim must change something in the centre of the pitch because the midfield set-up is simply not working.
Fernandes has made a poor start to the campaign and is struggling with the defensive aspects of the deeper midfield role, so perhaps it makes sense to bench him for this game.
It feels wrong to leave Fernandes out, given his quality, but it might not be a crazy idea.
Steven’s team
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