Manchester United travel to Sunderland this afternoon with Champions League qualification already secured for next season.
Manchester United have plenty of options ahead of this afternoon's trip to Sunderland
Manchester United have plenty of options ahead of this afternoon's trip to Sunderland(Image: Pick the Team/Getty Images)
View 4 Images
Manchester United interim head coach Michael Carrick insisted the Reds should not let standards slip despite their main objective this season being achieved. United still want to finish as high up the table as possible with three games remaining.
Carrick did hint at some changes between now and the end of the season to allow fringe players an opportunity. One player who won't be involved is Matthijs de Ligt. The Dutch defender is still recovering from a back injury that has kept him out since November. Benjamin Sesko is a minor doubt after being forced off against Liverpool.
Lisandro Martinez has returned after being suspended for the last three matches. Despite rumours, United have no plans to rest Matheus Cunha ahead of the World Cup and he is also available to feature.
We asked our United writers to name the team they would pick to face Sunderland.
Tyrone Marshall
Carrick hinted at changes in his press conference on Thursday, but for now I would resist the urge to do that and try and keep the momentum building. The only alteration at the back would be to bring Martinez back in after his suspension, with Heaven making way.
Casemiro has to play. He deserves every minute possible in a United shirt and Mainoo is his obvious partner. Every game the academy graduate plays next to the Brazilian is a learning curve. Fernandes is also undroppable as he closes in on that Premier League assist record.
There are some harder calls to make in attack. Sesko is struggling and maybe it's time to freshen it up anyway, restoring Bryan Mbeumo through the middle and giving Amad a game on the right to try and get him going again. Matheus Cunha plays on the left, with Patrick Dorgu eyeing a start against Forest or Brighton.
Steven Railston
United can seal third position with two games to spare by beating Sunderland, so I'd pick a full-strength team and rotate the side accordingly for the final two matches of the Premier League season.
That means Martinez should return after serving his suspension, but the remainder of the team should not change. Although Sunderland have enjoyed a superb first season back in the top-flight, they are running out of steam, and United should be targeting a stylish performance at the Stadium of Light.
Nottingham Forest recently hammered Sunderland 5-0 in their own backyard, so there should be chances.
Jack Flintham
United's XI will be tough to predict this weekend. The Reds still want to finish on a high so a whole host of changes are unlikely.
Partnering Yoro with Heaven would make sense as United cast an eye to the future. Sesko's knock against Liverpool makes him the obvious option for a rest. Amad has struggled recently and United must decide whether Mason Mount has a future in this squad. Trialling him on the left and pushing Cunha up front gives the former Chelsea man a much-needed opportunity.