Ole Gunnar Solskjaer points from the sideline.

Confirmed: Solskjaer's side to face Sheffield United

Sunday 24 November 2019 15:30

Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has made one change to his side to take on Sheffield United, from the one that beat Brighton & Hove Albion 3-1 before the international break.

With Scott McTominay picking up a late knock in the victory over the Seagulls, the boss was always going to be forced into at least one alteration at Bramall Lane.

In his place, Ole has opted to select Phil Jones for Sunday’s clash, meaning he will make his first appearance in the Premier League this season.
 
The centre-back has played three games for the Reds this campaign in the cup competitions, but has not featured in the league since the final day of 2018/19.

Phil Jones coming in is Ole's one change to the starting XI.
Speaking to MUTV before the game, Ole explained his decision by saying: “Phil has been training well.

“He's got experience of playing both central midfield and at the back and I thought when you show the attitude that he has shown in training, it's time for him to get a chance.

“Marcos [Rojo] is injured, Axel [Tuanzebe] is not really ready to come in so it was an easy option,” he added.

Jones’s inclusion also suggest United could start with a three-man defence, as we did in last month’s games against Liverpool and away to Partizan Belgrade.

Assuming the Reds do line up with a 3-4-3 shape, Jones will be partnered at the back by Victor Lindelof and Harry Maguire, with the latter returning to his old stomping ground.
The trio will shield David De Gea in the away goal, with the Spaniard continuing his 100 per cent appearance record in the league this season.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Brandon Williams could be asked to fulfill a more offensive role in the wing-back positions, with Williams retaining his place in the side despite Ashley Young’s return from suspension.

“It's not just the one performance [against Brighton],” Ole explained, when asked about the decision to play Williams. “Brandon has played really well in every game he's played for us so I didn't find any reason to leave him out.”

McTominay’s absence means Andreas Pereira could play in the centre of the park alongside Fred, while Daniel James, Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford will line up as a fluid front free.

Ole was boosted this week with the return to training of Luke Shaw and Nemanja Matic, but neither of the duo are fit enough to gain a place on the bench.

THE TEAMS

Sheffield United: Moore; Basham, Jagielka, O’Connell; Baldock, Lundstram, Norwood, Fleck, Stevens; McGoldrick, Mousset.

Substitutes: Verrips, Osborn, Besic, Freeman, McBurnie, Sharp, Robinson.

Manchester United: De Gea; Lindelof, Jones, Maguire; Wan-Bissaka, Fred, Andreas, Williams; James, Martial, Rashford.

Substitutes: 
Grant, Tuanzebe, Young, Garner, Mata, Lingard, Greenwood.

The match kicks off at 16:30 GMT and you can follow live updates in our Match Centre and in our Official App.

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