Paul Pogba and Bruno Fernandes.

Ole names his XI for first game back at Old Trafford

Wednesday 24 June 2020 16:00

Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has named his side for the first game at Old Trafford after the resumption of the Premier League.

The Reds take on Sheffield United, kicking off at 18:00 BST, in another important fixture in the race for a top-four slot.

Although the stadium will be largely empty, we will have the backing of millions of supporters across the globe watching on their TV sets and mobile phones.

Paul Pogba starts after his superb display as a substitute against Spurs.
Paul Pogba starts his first game since September and teams up in a much-anticipated midfield partnership with Bruno Fernandes.

Manager Solskjaer eased his French World Cup winner back into action since the Premier League restart with an impressive half-hour substitute appearance at Tottenham last Friday in the Reds' 1-1 draw as football returned following its enforced three-month lay-off.

Pogba has struggled with a long-term injury that began back in August against Southampton. Though the midfielder played on to the end of the month, when he started against Arsenal in the 1-1 Old Trafford draw, he was forced out of action with his foot injury.

The Academy product returned for two substitute appearances around Christmas time against Watford and Newcastle but still felt discomfort and had been in recovery prior to his comeback at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

In the meantime, United had bought Bruno from Sporting Lisbon in the January window and the 25-year-old has proved an instant huge hit. So the club's fans have been excited at the prospect of Pogba and Bruno linking up together.

Pogba’s return is one of three changes from the draw at Spurs with Nemanja Matic and Mason Greenwood also coming into the XI and Fred, Scott McTominay and Daniel James all moving to the bench to play the Blades.

Greenwood, who starts on the right of a fearsome-looking attack, scored his first Premier League goal in the corresponding fixture at Bramall Lane.

Andreas Pereira is introduced to the bench with Jesse Lingard missing out from those on duty in the capital.

The visitors are without United loanee Dean Henderson with veteran Phil Jagielka coming in for the suspended John Egan.

Nemanja Matic starts in midfield, alongside Pogba and Bruno.

United: De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Maguire, Shaw; Matic, Pogba; Greenwood, Fernandes, Rashford; Martial.

Subs: Romero, Bailly, Williams, Andreas, Fred, James, Mata, McTominay, Ighalo.

Sheffield United: Moore, Baldock, Basham, Jagielka, Robinson, Stevens, Lundstram, Norwood, Fleck, McGoldrick, Mousset.

Subs: Verrips, L. Freeman, Rodwell, Berge, Sharp, Zivkovic, Osborn, McBurnie, K. Freeman.

We are all United as the Reds go marching on! On sale now, get your 2019/20 kit while stocks last.

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