Man Utd play Sabah FK in the Champions League tonight and this is how our writers think they should start.
United play Sabah in the Champions League tonight.(Image: Getty Images)
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Manchester United take on Sabah FK at Old Trafford tonight in their opening Champions League game of the season.
United will compete in the Champions League for the first time since the competition was revamped to replace its group stage with a league table phase, meaning they will play eight different opponents.
The Reds kick off their Champions League campaign against Sabah this evening. They will also play Atletico Madrid, Como, Roma, Sporting Lisbon, RB Leipzig, Bayern Munich and Villarreal.
Michel Carrick confirmed on Wednesday that he would make a decision on Luke Shaw's involvement today, but everything points to him being rested ahead of the weekend's Manchester derby. Matthijs de Ligt, Amad and Manuel Ugarte are all out through injury.
This is how our writers think United should line up:
Tyrone Marshall
This is a new test for Carrick, whose first 20 games in charge of United have all come in the Premier League. He now faces three games in seven days and rotating his squad is a must.
It seems clear Shaw won't start and that is a sensible decision, so I would bring Mazraoui in at left-back and stick with Dalot at right-back. Yoro can come in for Maguire and partner Martinez in the centre of defence.
The midfield is now deep enough to allow for rotation and Santos and Mount struck up a good understanding in pre-season. They should be capable of controlling a game like this one.
Sesko should be ready for a start as well and Dorgu can come back in on the left wing, allowing Rashford a breather after he went off feeling something at Everton. Mbeumo keeps his place, as, of course, does Fernandes.
Steven Railston
United must balance the Premier League and Champions League with domestic cup commitments this season. There will be plenty minutes to go around, but I would make minimal changes for tonight's game.
The Reds need to secure a comfortable win after a shaky start to the campaign, so Carrick should start with a strong team with a view to making substitutions in the second half ahead of the Manchester derby.
The four changes I would make would be Yoro, Mazraoui, Santos and Sesko being brought in for Martinez, Shaw, Tielemans and Cunha.