Wolves are back in action in the Premier League in a Boxing Day showdown at Molineux.
The Old Gold welcome Manchester United to the West Midlands, in what is poised to be a blockbuster at Molineux.
After Vitor Pereira made history on his Wolves debut, the new manager will be hoping to impress in front of a home crowd to prolong the festive cheer.
Ruben Amorim’s struggling side will head to Wolverhampton with the hope of turning their recent form around, with both teams desperate to win.
Wolverhampton Wanderers Manager Vitor Pereira before the Premier League match between Leicester City and Wolverhampton Wanderers at King Power Stad...
Photo by Plumb Images/Leicester City FC via Getty Images
Wolves team news ahead of Man United clash
After Mario Lemina missed Wolves’ win over Leicester City, it’s hoped that the Gabon international will return to the squad.
The former captain suffered a small knock which kept him away from the King Power although, he could return in some capacity against Manchester United.
Another returning figure is Rayan Ait-Nouri, who served a one-game ban for the red card he picked up on week 16.
The Algerian is back in contention to feature, however, remains on four yellow cards, meaning he’s still walking a tightrope if he is to pick up another booking.
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Given how impressive Rodrigo Gomes was against Leicester, Pereira could have quite the selection headache ahead of the contest.
Wolves predicted lineup to play Man United
There were several changes in Pereira’s first starting XI compared to Gary O’Neil’s last, as Gomes and Goncalo Guedes started.
With Lemina expected to be back in contention and Ait-Nouri returning, the Wolves manager will have some tough calls to make, here’s how the Old Gold could lineup against United.
In goal, Jose Sa will surely keep his place after impressing against Leicester, with those ahead of him also predicted to remain the same.
On the right side of defence, Matt Doherty could be considered undroppable after his showing on Pereira’s debut, which brings us to the debate of who starts at left-wing-back.
Pereira will have to decide whether to keep the faith in young Gomes or whether to restore Ait-Nouri to the starting XI.
Having seen what the summer signing produced on week 17, there are limited grounds to deny him another start.
The same goes for Lemina’s chances of making the starting lineup, as Joao Gomes and Andre were near-perfect against Leicester.
In attack, Matheus Cunha and Jorgen Strand Larsen speak for themselves, as does Guedes, who could start for consecutive Premier League games.
If Pereira were to start Guedes, it would be the first time in 25 months that the Portuguese last started back-to-back games in the English top flight.
Full Wolves XI vs Man United: Sa; Semedo, Bueno, Toti; R.Gomes, J.Gomes, Andre, Doherty; Cunha, Guedes, Strand Larsen.
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