Pogba back as Tuanzebe captains United
Paul Pogba makes his return for Manchester United against Rochdale in the Carabao Cup but there is a surprise captain for the night for the Reds.
Manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has named 21-year-old Axel Tuanzebe as skipper against the League One side.
Tuanzebe was brought up in Rochdale and went to St Cuthbert’s RC High School in the town. It will be an emotional and proud night for the young defender who was named Sports Boy of the Year 10 years ago by the Mayor of Rochdale.
TFrench midfielder Pogba has missed United’s last three matches with injury after pulling out of France’s squad in the last international break.
There are just two players starting against Rochdale who began in Solskjaer’s XI in last Sunday’s 2-0 defeat at West Ham in the Premier League.
Mason Greenwood missed the trip to London due to illness but last Thursday’s matchwinning goal hero in the Europa League against Astana is back in the side, and looks certain to start up front.
There is a first place in the matchday squad for 19-year-old full-back Brandon Williams.
"It’s good that Paul has had a couple of days’ training and needs a game to further his recovery and hopefully then be ready for Arsenal on Monday," Ole told MUTV. "Let’s see how he does tonight.
"Angel Gomes and Diogo Dalot are not fit. They haven’t trained in the last couple of days unfortunately. Hopefully, they’ll be back for Alkmaar next week, that’s what we’re hoping."
United: Romero; Wan-Bissaka, Jones, Tuanzebe (c), Rojo; Fred, Pogba; Pereira, Lingard, Chong; Greenwood.
Substitutes: Grant, Lindelof, Williams, Garner, McTominay, Mata, James.
Rochdale: Sanchez, Norrington-Davies, McNulty, Dooley, Williams, Camps, Keohane, Rathbone, Morley, Henderson (c), Matheson.
Substitutes: Lynch, Andrew, Wilbraham, Ryan, Bradley, Tavares, Thomas.