Manchester United v Sheffield – Team news, predicted line-ups

Soccer Football - FA Cup - Fourth Round - Manchester United v Liverpool - Old Trafford, Manchester, Britain - January 24, 2021 Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer celebrates after the match [Pool via REUTERS/Martin Rickett]

Manchester United welcome Sheffield United to Old Trafford tonight in Gameweek 20 of the Premier League

Solskjaer’s men are on a 13-game unbeaten run – the last defeat came against Arsenal back in November, and the 3-2 victory over fierce rivals Liverpool in the FA Cup last week may only add to their drive. 

With a tricky trip to the Emirates Stadium set for January 30, Solskjaer will look to grab all three points here if he can, should he desire to challenge for the title. 

David De Gea should return in goal after Dean Henderson deputised in the FA Cup, with the usual defensive partnership of Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof, Luke Shaw and Aaron Wan-Bissaka expected to start.

Bruno Fernandes will hope to provide the spark Man United needs from the number 10 role, with Paul Poba, Fred and Scott McTominay completing the midfield. 

Solskjaer could opt for Mason Greenwood upfront, though Anthony Martial is in contention, and could start alongside Marcus Rashford. 

Sheffield, on the other hand, have won three of their last five matches but still hold bottom spot on the log. The Blades look to cut down the 12-point gap to safety but will have to be in perfect condition to hold off Man United’s attack.

Soccer Football - Premier League - West Bromwich Albion v Sheffield United - The Hawthorns, West Bromwich, Britain - November 28, 2020 Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder before the match [Pool via REUTERS/Lindsey Parnaby]

Five Sheffield players have been ruled out with injuries including Jack O’Connell, Jack Robinson, Sander Berge, Ben Osborn and Oliver McBurnie. Defender John Egan is suspended.

Aaron Ramsdale will start in goal for the visitors and is likely to be protected by a three-man defence of Chris Basham, Etham Ampadu and Kean Bryan.

The midfield could see Chris Wilder select Oliver Norwood to mark Man United’s Fernandes, with John Lundstram and John Fleck in support.

Oliver Burke and David McGoldrick could complete Sheffield’s attack, though former Liverpool striker Rhian Brewster and club captain Billy Sharp could also be selected.

Manchester United's Anthony Martial, right, celebrates with his teammates after scoring his side's second goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester United and Sheffield United at Old Trafford in Manchester, England, Wednesday, June 24, 2020. (Michael Regan/Pool via AP)

Here are the predicted squads as per Standard Sport:

Predicted Man United line-up: (4-2-3-1): De Gea, Maguire, Lindelof, Wan-Bissaka, Shaw, McTominay, Pogba, Fred, Fernandes, Rashford; Martial. 

Predicted Sheffield line-up: (3-5-2): Ramsdale, Basham, Bryan, Ampadu, Bogle, Norwood, Lundstram, Fleck, Stevens, Burke, McGoldrick. 

The fixture kicks off at 11:15 EAT. 

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