Potential Lineups: Manchester United vs FC Astana

Manchester United will be playing in Europe for the first time this season on Thursday, albeit on a platform they’d rather not function from.

Their Group L clash against Astana will be hosted at Old Trafford and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will seek to make the most out of squad rotation to ensure that the rather fixture-heavy campaign is eased.

Let us have a look at how the two teams could lineup for the Europa League fixture.

Manchester United

Solskjaer confirmed that the game would be one populated by second-team talents. Academy graduates Axel Tuanzebe and popular teenager Mason Greenwood are confirmed starts for the game. The same goes for Argentine goalkeeper Sergio Romero.

Greenwood will have to utilize this start fully and show the Norwegian gaffer that he is capable of playing more minutes in the Premier League too.

This will likely mean that much of the first-team regulars will be rested for the game, which also gives the side time to be without their injured stars like Martial, Pogba, and Shaw.

Fred is another player who is touted to start for the game.

Goalkeeper: Sergio Romero

Defenders: Wan-Bissaka, Tuanzebe, Jones, Young

Midfielders: McTominay, Fred

Forward: Chong, Mata, Pereira; Greenwood

Formation: 4-2-3-1

 

FC Astana

The Kazakhstan-based club appear to have a largely fit squad to choose from for the outing to Manchester.

Manager Roman Hryhorchuk will be looking to continue the splendid form that has seen them post convincing victories in five of their last six games.

The goal-scoring prowess of Marin Tomasov and Roman Murtazayev will be crucial to their hopes of success at Old Trafford.

Goalkeeper: Eric

Defenders: Shomko, Simunovic, Postnikov, Rukavina

Midfielders: Mayewski, Logvinenko

Forwards: Tomasov, Sigurjonsson, Rotariu; Murtazayev

Formation: 4-2-3-1