Pundit Predictions: Will Ruben make changes?
Treble-winning defender David May is part of our MUTV punditry team for Manchester United v Ipswich and he's been playing our popular United Predictions game ahead of an Old Trafford night under the lights.
United return to M16 after two games on the road, hoping for a first Premier League victory since January, against Ipswich Town.
The 19:30 GMT kick-off gives the Reds an opportunity to turn our form around after we had to come from behind at Goodison Park on Saturday to earn a point against Everton. Captain Bruno Fernandes netted an excellent free-kick before Manuel Ugarte scored his first goal for the club with a fine drive.
Will Amorim stick with the side that began on Merseyside, or might there be an opportunity for one of the many youngsters included in recent weeks due to first-team injuries?
Well, our pundits have given us their insights to help you in making your own predictions. So, read their thoughts and then join us to predict Ruben's starting XI, the scoreline, first goalscorer and your Man of the Match, and you’ll have the chance to win some great prizes.
David May is expecting a comfortable United win at Old Trafford. Check out his full predictions below…
DAVID MAY’S PREDICTIONS
United XI: Onana; De Ligt, Maguire, Yoro; Dalot, Ugarte, Fernandes, Mazraoui; Zirkzee, Hojlund, Garnacho.
Score: United 3-1 Leicester
First scorer: Alejandro Garnacho
Man of the Match: Bruno Fernandes
Treble-winning defender May is expecting a couple of changes from Saturday’s team. He thinks Alejandro Garnacho, who came off the bench to help United level the score, will come into the side and net our first goal of the evening.
May also predicts Amorim to make a slight alteration in the defence, bringing in Leny Yoro – who was also a sub at Goodison – for Patrick Chinazaekpere Dorgu, and shifting Noussair Mazraoui into the wing-back role.
After Bruno’s goalscoring display at Everton, May backs him to be our outstanding player at Old Trafford on Wednesday night.
WHAT RUBEN’S SAID
Keen for more insight before making your choices? Well, here’s the key lines from the boss to help you.
On team news: “It’s the same [squad, as against Everton]. They [the absent players] are improving but nobody is recovering for this game. The good news this week [is] we didn't lose anyone.”
On Bruno Fernandes: “He’s a blessing. He’s a very good player, he works really well, he’s always available, so he’s the kind of player that this club needs.”
On Manuel Ugarte scoring his first goal: “It was a very good goal, a difficult goal, a quality goal. So he needs to do it again and again. Of course we need it. That is clear. We need goals, but more as a team. We need to have more threat and we have to believe it when we are near the goal.”
Ruben: Fans lead by example
AMORIM’S INTERVIEW | The boss has his say on Bruno Fernandes, Patrick Dorgu and Kieran McKenna before Ipswich (H)…
On January signing Patrick Chinazaekpere Dorgu: “I think the one important thing is that he's really excited to be here and you can feel it every day. So it's something that I'm really happy with, because he understood how lucky he is to play for a club like ours. He’s playing really well in the context that it is really hard, but he’s showing a lot of things that we thought when we bring a player like him in – a young player. He has the pace, he has the quality, he can play both sides, but he's playing on the left. I think he's feeling a little bit more free. He's going to be a very good player for us now and in the future.”
So, does that indicate a starting spot for anyone in particular? You decide!
WHAT OUR WRITERS THINK
Joe Ganley predicts... Garnacho to return (and score?)
"United were a team transformed for much of the second half at Goodison Park on Saturday, and there were a few reasons for that: better control in possession and the confidence injected by Bruno Fernandes's free-kick among them. But Alejandro Garnacho's introduction in the 62nd minute was undoubtedly one factor. The ebullient 20-year-old is unlike any other player at United's disposal and he helped draw the Toffees' defence and midfield out of shape, creating space for Ruben's Reds elsewhere on the pitch. That's why I'm backing him to return to the starting XI against Ipswich. What else? Well, how about a first Garna goal since late November? He's come close many times since that early tap-in against Bodo/Glimt; it feels like only a matter of time..."
Harry Robinson thinks... Bruno will score
"It could be a tight game tonight. United have struggled to find first-half goals and with the packed schedule and continued absence of some key players, that may continue. Ipswich have held teams well on several occasions. I'm expecting an Old Trafford night which builds towards a crescendo and that release of tension that comes from a goal when you've been knocking at the door all game. The scorer? Bruno Fernandes. He got a captain's goal at Goodison and is made for nights like this. United fans need to get behind the team and help us find that sense of freedom that unleashes our creativity. If we as fans can do that, I'm predicting a tense but ultimately fruitful evening with a 2-0 win."
PLAY UNITED PREDICTIONS
Make your own picks in our United Predictions game now.
You have until 18:15 GMT to select your starting XI, and you can make your picks for first scorer, result and Man of the Match right up until kick-off.
With amazing prizes – including signed shirts and United Store vouchers – on offer, what are you waiting for? Get involved now!