United name side to take on Leeds

The Reds are looking to improve our home form with a win over our old rivals from across the Pennines in our final league game before Christmas Day.

Leeds won 5-2 Newcastle United in their last outing and will pose problems for the Reds, but there is a chance for Ole's men to move up the table again with three points.

There are five changes to the team that defeated Sheffield United 3-2, with Daniel James coming in for his first start since the draw with Chelsea in October, although he scored in his most recent outing, as a substitute against Istanbul Basaksehir.

The Wales international was very close to joining Leeds in his Swansea City days.

David De Gea returns in goal, with Luke Shaw, Fred and Scott McTominay the other players introduced to the XI, at the expense of Dean Henderson, Alex Telles, Nemanja Matic, Paul Pogba and Mason Greenwood.

“Sometimes it’s players who suit different opposition but also the rotation," explained Solskjaer to MUTV. "It has to happen because of all the games we’ve played, with the physical strain and preparation times in between.

“Dan's worked really hard. We know his qualities and I think, today, his qualities will be very valuable. We’ve found a role for him to play tonight and I think it’s going to work out well. He always gives you a defensive work-rate and his pace is electric on the counter as well.”

Nine substitutes are allowed on the bench after the Premier League rule change in midweek. Edinson Cavani is one of them, as he makes his comeback from a groin injury.

THE TEAMS

United: De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Maguire (c), Shaw; McTominay, Fred; James, Fernandes, Rashford; Martial.

Subs: Henderson, Bailly, Telles, Mata, Matic, Pogba, van de Beek, Cavani, Greenwood.

Leeds: Meslier; Dallas, Ayling, Cooper, Alioski; Phillips, Raphinha, Klich, Harrison; Rodrigo, Bamford.

Subs: Casilla, Shackleton, Poveda-Ocampo, Casey, Helder Costa, Davis, Hernandez, Strujik, Roberts.