Manchester United take on Reading at Old Trafford tonight and this is the team that we think Erik ten Hag will go with.
The Reds return to Old Trafford for the #FACup 🙌#MUFC
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) January 28, 2023
Tom Heaton – David de Gea played the Carabao Cup match against Nottingham Forest, and we think that Heaton will replace him between the sticks, however, having said that it wouldn’t be surprising to see Jack Butland start because the manager will want to keep the morale within the squad high by giving opportunities to those who have shown good application in training.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka – With Diogo Dalot out injured, we think the Dutchman will start Wan-Bissaka, however, as he has played a lot of matches, we think there is a strong chance that Brandon Williams might come on to replace him in the second half.
Harry Maguire – After missing the game against Forest due to suspension, it seems likely that Harry Maguire will come back into the team.
Victor Lindelof – This selection was a tricky one because given that ten Hag likes to have a left footed centre-back on the left hand side of defence, however, we think that he will want to give Lindelof just his second start for the club since the Bournemouth game on January the 3rd.
Tyrell Malacia – Ten Hag said that there was a question mark surrounding the availability of Luke Shaw because of an illness, so we think that the Dutchman will not risk him, so we expect Malacia to start once again.
Fred – He has not started for United since the Manchester derby, so it is expected that Fred will play, which allows Christian Eriksen to have the night off.
Scott McTominay – We think that with United likely to play a 4-2-3-1 formation, it means that McTominay is the most likely option to slot alongside Fred in a two man midfield.
Facundo Pellistri – The Uruguayan wide man has impressed so much in the last two substitute appearances that he has made in the Carabao Cup that it lead to ten Hag saying in his press conference that his introduction against Forest is an indication that he will stay at United. We think that Pellistri will make his first start for United this evening, and it will be fully deserved if he does.
Bruno Fernandes – Even though Reading are in the Championship, United should not underestimate the opposition tonight, so we think that Fernandes will start in what is likely to be a strong United side.
Alejandro Garnacho – With a good TV audience expected to tune into the game given that it is on free-to-air in the UK tonight, we think this is the perfect chance for Garnacho to showcase his talents and perform like he did in the Manchester derby.
Wout Weghorst – We think that the Dutch striker will start once again for United, and he has played well in his last three appearance, culminating in him scoring his first goal for United against Forest in midweek.
The game between United and Reading kicks off at 8pm UK time, and for those in the UK, the match will be shown on ITV 4.
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