How Man Utd could line up at Newcastle with Pogba and Martial major doubts
MANCHESTER UNITED travel to Newcastle off the back of two dull draws – and could be without French duo Paul Pogba and Anthony Martial.
Having failed to record a shot on target against AZ Alkmaar on Thursday, Scott McTominay’s cracker against Arsenal three days before was the only shed of excitement between the two performances.
As manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer faces his third game in seven days, he is dealt with some injury blows.
Fortunately stopper David De Gea, who pulled off some smart saves against Alkmaar in Holland, will remain in between the posts but injuries to both his full-backs mean Luke Shaw and Aaron Wan-Bissaka are both out.
Skipper Ashley Young could return at right-back having played against Arsenal with Diogo Dalot preferred for European action on Thursday.
Defender Marcus Rojo was overlooked in midweek as 21-year-old Axel Tuanzebe slotted in at left-back, and will likely keep his place.
Harry Maguire was rested in Holland and will return to partner Victor Lindelof, Solskjaer’s trusty centre-half pairing.
Midfielder Pogba is still sidelined with an ankle injury while Jesse Lingard pulled his hamstring after coming on as a substitute in the Europa League.
Meaning Nemanja Matic will keep his place in the starting 11 to partner McTominay.
Ahead of those two, Solskjaer has options with Juan Mata, Andreas Pereria, Daniel James and Mason Greenwood vying for a start in the trio of midfielders behind the striker.
James will continue his good form out wide with Mata slotting in at No10.
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Pereria started against Arsenal before being rested in midweek, suggesting he is a favourite to play against Newcastle.
It leaves Marcus Rashford leading the line, with Greenwood an option from the bench.
But if the 18-year-old is given the nod at St James Park, Rashford could switch out wide with Greenwood leading the line.