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Manchester United are brimming with confidence as they get ready to face Young Boys in the group stage of the Champions League tonight.
Cristiano Ronaldo's return, as well as the acquisition of Raphael Varane and Jadon Sancho, has increased the positivity around the club. Manchester United are now seen as Premier League contenders and would like to leave their mark in the Champions League as well.
Here, we look at Manchester United's possible starting XI for the Champions League encounter against Young Boys.
Goalkeeper - David de Gea
Dean Henderson has not been named in the Manchester United squad for the Young Boys game. With Henderson still recovering from his injury, David de Gea looks most likely to start this fixture.
de Gea has enjoyed an excellent start to the 2021-22 campaign. The Spain international has capitalized on Henderson's unavailability and produced some good performances. There were doubts as to whether de Gea would be at Manchester United this season after some poor performances in recent times.
However, the 30-year-old goalkeeper on current evidence is ahead of Henderson. de Gea was regarded as the best goalkeeper in world football a few years ago. He might have declined a little, but the quality is still there for everyone to see. Tom Heaton and Matej Kovar are the other options in the squad, but de Gea is a firm starter over both keepers.
Right-back - Diogo Dalot
Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is keen to provide first-choice right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka with some competition this season.
Atletico Madrid's Kieran Trippier was heavily linked as a result. However, the club focussed on improving other areas of the squad, and the Trippier deal failed to materialize. Diogo Dalot's presence also played an important role in Manchester United abandoning the Trippier deal.
Dalot joined Manchester United from Porto in 2018 for nearly £20 million. He was shipped to AC Milan on loan last season and enjoyed a good campaign. The Portugal international is more attack-minded than Wan-Bissaka and is a good crosser. Dalot is still young and has plenty of room for improvement but he could still provide some competition to Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
Also Read: 5 best midfield partnerships in the Premier League (2021)
Centre-back - Victor Lindelof
Victor Lindelof was unfortunate to be benched for Manchester United's last two league games as Raphael Varane has instantly become an undroppable member of the first-team. A ball-playing centre-back, Lindelof has often been criticized for lacking physicality. The Sweden international is an excellent passer, though, and an intelligent operator to boot.
Lindelof has been Manchester United's preferred partner alongside Harry Maguire under Solskjaer. Since joining the club from Benfica in 2017 for £31.5 million, the 27-year old has produced some assured performances. He is likely to be given some minutes against Young Boys.
Centre-back - Harry Maguire
Manchester United captain Harry Maguire very rarely misses a game for his club and country.
Maguire is one of the fittest athletes in the Premier League and one of the best centre-backs in the world. The 28-year old joined the club from Leicester City for £78.3 million in 2019, and has quickly become an integral part of Manchester United's defense.
Maguire is undroppable because of his importance and leadership qualities. Aerially dominant and comfortable on the ball, the England international has solidified his club's defense since his arrival.
Left-back - Luke Shaw
Luke Shaw could have been rested for this game had Alex Telles been fit and available.
However, Telles is currently nursing an injury and has not been named in the traveling squad. With youngster Brandon Williams on loan at Norwich City, Shaw is the only recognized left-back in the team. Diogo Dalot can operate there if needed, but is likely to get some time at right-back in this match.
Shaw is one of the best left-backs in the world. Physically gifted and an excellent crosser, the England international has barely put a foot wrong under the management of Solskjaer. The 26-year old looks set to start against Young Boys after yet another good performance against Newcastle United.
Also Read: 5 best goalscoring midfielders in the Premier League this season (2021/22)
Central midfielder - Fred
Manchester United fans are not overly happy with how Fred has started his 2021-22 season.
Fred has looked far from his best so far. An aggressive presser, the Brazil international has previously been appreciated due to the work he puts in. But so far this season, his technical qualities have let him down, and his lack of physicality has been exploited as well.
Fred did not come cheap, costing Manchester United £53 million in 2018. The Old Trafford club did overpay Shakhtar Donetsk for the midfielder, but he is certainly a useful option to have in the squad. The 28-year old did not start against Newcastle United, but should do so in this game.
Central midfielder - Paul Pogba
Paul Pogba has been sensational so far for Manchester United this season and has already provided seven assists in just four league games.
The France international started the season on the left-wing, but has been utilized in central midfield more recently. Pogba is one of the most gifted footballers in the world, and Manchester United fans are finally seeing him perform on a consistent basis.
The 28-year old's Manchester United contract expires next summer. There have been rumors that Pogba is leaning towards signing a new deal, especially after the arrivals of Raphael Varane, Jadon Sancho and Cristiano Ronaldo. He has previously been linked with Juventus, Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain.
Attacking midfielder - Bruno Fernandes
Manchester United fans will be hoping that Bruno Fernandes is afforded more rest this time around.
Fernandes was ever-present last season and looked tired during the finishing stages. Yet it is understandable why he played as much as he did as the Portugal international has completely transformed the club since his arrival. Fernandes is already a firm fan favorite, and his creativity, goalscoring ability and energy have all been hugely appreciated.
The 27-year old might not be the most elegant of footballers, but is extremely efficient. Fernandes has started this season incredibly well and already has four goals in the league.
Also Read: Top 5 favorites for the Premier League golden boot this season - September 2021
Right-winger - Mason Greenwood
Mason Greenwood is Manchester United's future, but his superb performances of late indicate that he is the club's present as well.
The 19-year old is a truly gifted young footballer. Greenwood was named the best finisher at Manchester United by Solskjaer, ahead of the likes of Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial. The forward has already scored three league goals this season as well.
Greenwood will surely benefit from being coached by Solskjaer and being around the likes of Edinson Cavani and Cristiano Ronaldo. The England international is on his way to becoming a superstar and is likely to start the match against Young Boys.
Striker - Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo's second debut for Manchester United was highly anticipated and he did not disappoint.
Ronaldo scored two goals against Newcastle United as his club romped to a 4-1 win. The Portugal international looked sharp and fit and remains a world-class operator. A prolific goalscorer, Ronaldo has added a completely different dimension to his Manchester United side.
The 36-year old is one of the fittest athletes in the world. Ronaldo might not be the player he once was, but he has immediately become Manchester United's superstar and talisman.
Left-winger - Jadon Sancho
Jadon Sancho has endured a quiet start to his Manchester United career, but he will be happy after an improved display against Newcastle United.
One of the best young players in world football, Sancho joined Manchester United this summer from Borussia Dortmund for £76.5 million. The 21-year old has been utilized on the left-wing so far, despite his excellent performances on the right in the Bundesliga.
Sancho is highly creative and technically gifted. Though he has no goals or assists to his name as yet this season, he will soon come good for his new club. The England international will play an important role for Manchester United this season and is expected to start the match against Young Boys.
Also Read: 5 best English players in football right now (2021)
