Manchester United return to Premier League action on Sunday afternoon as they head to Portman Road to face Ipswich Town. It is another new era for United who have a new manager, Ruben Amorim. Ruud van Nistelrooy led United in four matches and is undefeated following the sacking of Erik ten Hag at the end of October.
United need to start getting some good results now that the all of the international matches are done for 2024 and we head into the busy festive period where United will play 11 matches between now and the end of the year. United will feature in the Premier League, Carabao Cup and the UEFA Europa League in the coming weeks.
United, at the time of writing, sit in 13th place in the Premier League with just 15 points from 11 matches this season. Ipswich sit in 17th place in the Premier League with eight points from 11 matches, which makes their current spell in the English top flight dangerous as they sit just above the relegation zone.
Predicted Manchester United Starting XI – 4-2-3-1
Onana;
Mazraoui, De Ligt, Martinez, Dalot;
Casemiro, Ugarte;
Amad, Fernandes, Rashford;
Hojlund
Goalkeeper: Onana
Andre Onana has been the model professional at United since he arrived in the summer of 2023. The Cameroonian is a class act and does what he needs to do in goal, although he has conceded more than 100 goals since his debut. That is not all on him though as the defence has had some major problems with injury, which is still the case now.
Onana should be starting against Ipswich on Sunday as I don’t think Altay Bayindir is experienced enough to start in the Premier League. Granted that experience will come but in these kind of matches, United should not be taking these risks. Onana is a safe pair of hands and United should stick by him.
Defenders: Mazraoui, De Ligt, Martinez, Dalot
United’s defence has some problems with injury, but that is coming to an end with players starting to return from injury. Against Ipswich, Noussair Masraoui and Diogo Dalot should be starting in the fullback roles, both players have the experience to keep United pressing the opposition in both attack and defence.
In the centre of the defence, Matthijs de Ligt and Lisandro Martinez, if he is fit, should be starting as at this time, they pose the best experience in the defence for the club and are both experienced enough to grind out a win got United, as matches are won with a solid defence, which has not always been the case for United recently.
Midfield: Casemiro, Ugarte
United’s midfield has some good depth at the moment. Against Ipswich, Casemiro and Manuel Ugarte should both start as they offer something great for the club. Casemiro, a player who has bags of experience and is a winner and Ugarte, who is an up and coming player on the big stage willing to do all he can for the club.
United also have the likes of Mason Mount and Christian Eriksen on the bench, who both possess some great attributes to take advantage of the opposition and get United firing once again. This is a great mixture of players this season and utilising them all effectively, Amorim could be onto something at the Old Trafford club.
Attacking Midfield: Amad, Fernandes, Rashford
The attacking midfield is where the firepower is for United. Bruno Fernandes, the club captain should be starting against Ipswich. Fernandes can bring something to the squad that other players have not been able to do. Amad Diallo should start on the right-wing for United as his ability is unquestionable and he can shine for the club.
Marcus Rashford will probably start on the left-wing for United, which could see him get some confidence back if Ipswich are unable to match United, which could well be the case if squad confidence is at a high. United have the likes of Alejandro Garnacho and Antony who could come on later in the match and shine for United.
Forward: Hojlund
Rasmus Hojlund should be leading the line for United against Ipswich on Sunday. The Danish international has been a great player for United, becoming the top scorer for United in the 2023/24 season. He has been outscored by Garnacho so far this season, but he has spent a lot of time on the bench after an injury in pre-season.
Hojlund should be able to get up to speed for United under Amorim, who will allow the player to play to his strengths. Joshua Zirkzee could also get some time on the pitch later in the match of Hojlund tires as rotation will be major over the next month with 11 matches to play before the end of 2024.
Substitutes: Bayindir; Evans, Malacia; Mount, Eriksen; Zirkzee, Garnacho, Antony, Wheatley
United will have nine players on the bench against Ipswich. Altay Bayindir will be the substitute goalkeeper. In defence, United could have just Jonny Evans and Tyrell Malacia, providing he is fit enough to make the bench. In midfield, Mason Mount and Christian Eriksen could both be involved in some shape or form.
In attack, United could have Joshua Zirkzee, Alejandro Garnacho, Antony and Ethan Wheatley on the bench, which gives a great mixture of youth and experience on the bench, which is a much have for United to grind out the win to get important points on the board in the Premier League in am important month for the club.
Written by Paul
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2024-11-22 20:30:00
