This article is part of Football FanCast’s Opinion series, which provides analysis, insight and opinion on any issue within the beautiful game, from Paul Pogba’s haircuts to League Two relegation battles…
Having gone through a recent revival, the last thing Ole Gunnar Solskjaer would have wanted to do for the game against Bournemouth on Saturday, is make wholesale changes. The Manchester United manager has overseen a draw against Liverpool, and three successive away wins in different competitions in just over a week.
But unfortunately for the Red Devils, the sense of goodwill and excitement that has been built by those results may be slightly tempered by the injury update the United boss provided in his pre-match press conference. The Norwegian admitted there are fitness concerns over a number of players ahead of the clash at Bournemouth, including doubts over the likes of Marcus Rashford, Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof.
“They had treatment yesterday, today (they played in) a light session, hopefully they’re ready. I can’t tell you exactly.”
And with the squad already struggling with more longer-term absentees in the shape of Paul Pogba and Eric Bailly, Solskjaer may well decide to play it extremely cautious with his potential line-up at the weekend. So with that in mind, here is a look at the eleven the Red Devils could be forced to play in their Premier League clash.
So with injury worries over United’s first-choice centre-back pairing, Solskjaer would no desperately be hoping that at least one of Maguire and Lindelof can be passed fit for the game – particularly with Bournemouth likely to play the pacy Callum Wilson up front.
Watch Manchester United Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below
But if indeed the Norwegian plays it safe, then there could be a rare chance for Marcos Rojo and Phil Jones to hold down the fort together, and a return to more orthodox back-four to alleviate the lack of fit central defenders.
At full-back, despite Brandon Williams’ impressive showing against Chelsea in the Carabao Cup in mid-week (he won five total duels and made two interceptions), Ashley Young could be restored to the line-up to add some experience.
In midfield, Scott McTominay and Fred will be hoping to build on their fledgling partnership – the latter in particular has now started and completed the previous three games in the Premier League.
The indoor football skills in the video below have to be seen to be believed…
Further forward, is where things could get shaken up even further, with Rashford potentially ruled out. The England international has returned to his best form in recent games, netting against Liverpool, Norwich and Chelsea. But with the 22-year-old perhaps side-lined, Jesse Lingard and Andreas Pereira could be the major beneficiaries, as they join Daniel James in playing behind number nine Anthony Martial.
