After playing out a goalless draw against neighbours Manchester City at home, Manchester United will host Championship side Middlesbrough in the Capital One Cup Round of 16 clash. Manager Louis Van Gaal might rest few of his first-choice players and is expected to give youngsters some chance to prove their worth. How will the Red Devils line-up for the clash? Here is their likely playing XI
Ever since signing a new contract with the Red Devils, Manchester United’s Spanish goalkeeper David de Gea has started each and every game for Louis Van Gaal’s men. It can be expected that De Gea might be rested for the clash and in his place, Argentine shot-stopper Sergio Romero might get the nod.
With Antonio Valencia and Ashley Young injured and ruled out of the clash, it is certain that new signing Matteo Darmian and Marcos Rojo will start as the full-backs. United’s star defender Chris Smalling is likely to be rested and in his place, Dutch defender Daley Blind might be the central defender alongside Englishman Phil Jones.
German skipper Bastian Schweinsteiger might be rested from the five men Manchester United midfield and it means that Englishman Michael Carrick and new signing Morgan Schneiderlin will start as the holding midfielders. Like Schweinsteiger, Juan Mata too deserves some rest and might get it later tonight as he is set to start the game from the bench. Out-of-favour Dutchman Memphis Depay will start in the wings along with youngster Andreas Pereira. Belgian International Maruone Fellaini will start as the number 10 for Manchester United.
Skipper Wayne Rooney is set to be dropped after a series of failures since the start of the season. Rooney looked completely off-colour and it is visible that the England’s top scorer needs a break from the game. Exciting Frenchman Anthony Martial will start from the bench and in his place, James Wilson will start as the main striker.
Manchester United possible playing XI: Sergio Romero, Matteo Darmian, Daley Blind, Phil Jones, Marcos Rojo, Michael Carrick, Morgan Schneiderlin, Alexis Pereira, Maruone Fellaini, Memphis Depay and James Wilson.