Manchester United host Bournemouth in today’s Premier League clash at Old Trafford.
The Red Devils have been on a dismal run with seven winless games in all competitions.
They were thoroughly beaten by Como in the Champions League in midweek (4-1) and need a strong response against the Cherries.
Bournemouth have struggled in the league too after their managerial change, but they have been a bogey club for United over the years.
United are winless in the last six meetings with four draws and two defeats, and they must seek to return to winning ways this afternoon.
It appears a make-or-break game for manager Michael Carrick, and we anticipate at least three big changes to the starting line-up.
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Predicted Line-up:
Senne Lammens has been an undisputed starter in goal since his debut in October last year, and should keep his place between the sticks as usual.
Diogo Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui look poised to continue in the right-back and left-back positions respectively. United have no fit senior left-backs with Luke Shaw and Patrick Dorgu injured.
Young graduate Harry Amass and centre-back Ayden Heaven can also play there, but Carrick could continue with the experienced Mazraoui in the role, given the importance of the fixture.
Matthijs de Ligt made his first appearance in almost a year in midweek. He looked far from his usual best, given the lack of match sharpness after an extended lay-off due to a back injury.
The Dutchman should drop to the bench today. Leny Yoro, who was suspended for the Champions League game at Como, looks likely to partner Harry Maguire in central defence.
Lisandro Martinez remains sidelined with a thigh injury sustained at Leeds United.
In central midfield, we expect Carlos Baleba to partner Andrey Santos, with Mason Mount making way.
Baleba had a poor cameo against Como, where he gifted the third goal with his lack of awareness.
Still, the Cameroonian has been a bright spark with his distribution and defensive contributions since his debut and should be reinstated into the XI.
Further forward, we expect Carrick to make a shrewd decision by dropping underperforming captain Bruno Fernandes after another dismal display.
The Portuguese, who joined United for an initial £47 million, has looked out of sorts over the last few weeks and barely made his mark against Como as a makeshift number nine.
Fernandes was substituted shortly after the hour mark and later questioned Carrick’s tactics after the game, which should have been done in the dressing room.
We believe the playmaker should be dropped on recent form. Youri Tielemans has fared better as a number 10 lately. He delivered two perfect crosses against Leeds.
One of those contributed to Bryan Mbeumo’s goal, and the Belgian should start as the attacking midfielder.
We would stick with Matheus Cunha and Mbeumo as the left and right wingers, respectively, and anticipate Joshua Zirkzee to be rewarded with a start upfront.
The Netherlands ace has yet to start in any competition for United this term, but his impressive cameo at Como, capped with a late goal, deserves a starting berth today.
How Man Utd could line up vs Bournemouth
Stats from Transfermarkt.com