Potential Lineups: Cardiff City vs Manchester United
Action Images / Jason Cairnduff
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s first challenge as caretaker manager for Manchester United will come against the last Premier League side he managed – away to Cardiff City.
The Norwegian gaffer will be eager to bag a crucial victory for the club, while Cardiff, placed 2 points out of the relegation zone, will seek to attain what they can from the encounter.
Here’s how the two teams are most likely to lineup for the game:
Manchester United
Along with the main gig, Solskjaer has also inherited Jose Mourinho’s injury line, although it may be in a less worrying state than it was against Liverpool.
Alexis Sanchez remains an absentee for the rest of the festive period, and late fitness tests will determine the availability of Chris Smalling, Scott McTominay, and Marcos Rojo.
WATCH: Solskjaer Tactics Explained
In his first press conference, Solskjaer also mentioned that he hasn’t met Romelu Lukaku yet, which rules the Belgian out of the Cardiff game.
It is clear that the former striker is a big fan of Paul Pogba, and the team is likely to be built around the Frenchman. While 4-2-3-1 is his preferred formation, Ole may just work off the 4-3-3 that Mourinho familiarized at the side for his first game, due to the limited time to take stock and train.
Goalkeeper: De Gea
Defenders: Dalot, Lindelof, Bailly, Shaw
Midfielders: Fred, Matic, Pogba
Forwards: Lingard, Rashford, Martial
Formation: 4-3-3
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Cardiff City
Neil Warnock’s side will be without Joe Bennett, Jazz Richards, and Danny Ward for the big game, with the availability of Greg Cunningham also a slim possibility.
As for the rest of the team, a starkly strong home record, with 13 of their 14 points being won there, ought to revitalize their hopes of getting something from a side that is managed by the man that last led them out of the Premier League.
Goalkeeper: Etheridge
Defenders: Ecuele Manga, Morrison, Bamba, Peltier
Midfielders: Hoilett, Camarasa, Gunnarsson, Arter, Murphy
Forward: Reid
Formation: 4-1-4-1