Opinion: Who starts for Manchester United when everyone is fit?

Manchester United v Brighton & Hove Albion - Premier League
Manchester United v Brighton & Hove Albion - Premier League

Suddenly, after a tough start to the season under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Manchester United are picking up form. They are now starting to show that given more time, this might actually be a good team.

With no clear superstars in the team, they look more of a unit that's ready to take off. Take nothing away from the relatively inexperienced Solskjaer, his patience and trust in his team are starting to pay off.

And now, the question is, considering the injury curse that has ravaged United’s season, who starts when everyone is fit?

The defence almost looks dead certain to pick itself and the forward line looks set as well. And, that leaves the midfield as the only section that isn’t fully decided on at the moment.

Without Paul Pogba in the picture, Scott McTominay and Fred have slowly but surely developed a good rapport and look to have a good understanding between them. Now, Pogba is obviously the most talented player in this side and has to come in when he’s fit.

Let's have a look at how United may end up lining up when the whole team is fit until season end.


Goalkeeper

AFC Bournemouth v Manchester United - Premier League
AFC Bournemouth v Manchester United - Premier League

If there was any position that was never in doubt, it has to be the goalkeeping position. Especially after David De Gea inked a new deal, it was clear who was going to be Manchester United's number one.

That won't change this season and maybe in the next couple of seasons as well. De Gea still remains one of the few world-class players this Manchester United team currently has and is dead certain to start every game barring any injury.

Of course, Sergio Romero will start some cup games and maybe one or two league games, but De Gea is still number one, and for the most important games, he’s sure to start.

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Defence

AFC Bournemouth v Manchester United - Premier League
AFC Bournemouth v Manchester United - Premier League

The next part for Solskjaer to figure out is his best defence. The defence hasn't been as much a problem this season as it was last season. That's mainly due to the major investment that was made in that particular area of the team.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Harry Maguire have certainly made the difference they were brought in to make. Now, who starts here when everyone is fit? Obviously Wan-Bissaka gets the nod at right-back, as he has certainly taken to the team like a duck to water and continues to impress.

At left-back, last season's Manchester United Player of the Year Luke Shaw hasn't started the season particularly well, but when he was getting back to form, injury struck. He, however, should get the nod when he gets back. If young left-back Brandon Williams continues to impress though, he will have a battle on his hands to get back into the side.

The central defence presents a challenge even though it was thought of as a position that was set. The upward trajectory of Axel Tuanzebe's progress has put pressure on whether he and not Victor Lindelof should be starting next to Harry Maguire.

Owing to Lindelof's shaky form, Tuanzebe should be given a chance to partner Maguire when he is match fit. Tuanzebe is obviously class, is quick across the grass and looks ready to be a central figure in the defence for years to come.

Midfield

Manchester United v Brighton & Hove Albion - Premier League
Manchester United v Brighton & Hove Albion - Premier League

The midfield presents a dilemma for the manager at the moment. You have two players who, going into the season, were considered to be supporting cast members until they started to impress of late.

Then, on the other hand, you have Paul Pogba, a truly world-class player with huge potential that he fails to show often.

Since Pogba has been injured, it hasn't been much of a problem, but he gets in the side no matter what. Now, the manager wouldn't want to break up a flourishing partnership in Fred and Scott McTominay, so, he has to find a way to keep them in and have Pogba on the side as well.

The only viable option for Solskjaer is to start a three-man midfield and drop Andreas Pereira.

With a three-man midfield, Pogba walks straight in that lineup and plays further up the pitch with McTominay and Fred anchoring the midfield.

The other options in the squad are Nemanja Matic and James Garner. And, while Garner doesn't look ready to be starting games, Matic has digressed from his high standards and looks set to leave soon.

Forwards

Manchester United v Brighton & Hove Albion - Premier League
Manchester United v Brighton & Hove Albion - Premier League

One position that seems to have zero dilemmas when it comes to the selection of starters has got to be the forward line. Now with Anthony Martial back, the front line looks like it picks itself.

You have Marcus Rashford who is on a roll now after some difficulty with nine goals in his last 10 appearances for club and country. Daniel James has been a revelation and may end up being the bargain of the season.

So, that leaves the front three of James on the right, Rashford to the left and Martial centrally to start a majority of the games.

The likes of Jesse Lingard, Juan Mata, and young Mason Greenwood will have to wait their turn to usurp this forward line.

So, here's how Manchester United should line up from now on when everyone is fit.

David De Gea; Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Axel Tuanzebe, Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw; Scott McTominay, Fred, Paul Pogba; Daniel James, Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford.

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Edited by Zaid Khan