Premier League

How Man Utd could line-up against Fulham with Solskjaer without four stars and Axel Tuanzebe set to start at back

Published

17th May 2021

MANCHESTER UNITED host Fulham at Old Trafford on Tuesday night and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is without four big names.

Harry Maguire, Anthony Martial, Phil Jones and Dan James are all out with the Norwegian set to hand Axel Tuanzebe a start at centre-back.

How Man Utd could line up against Fulham

The Cottagers are already relegated and with United focused on the Europa League final it is being billed as something of a dead rubber.

Maguire is on crutches and wearing a protective boot after damaging ankle ligaments just over a week ago against Aston Villa.

It left manager Solskjaer fearing the worst ahead of the final against Villarreal in Gdansk a week on Wednesday.

But the latest update has been more positive and Solskjaer says he will give his captain right up until the last minute to prove his fitness.

Solskjaer said: “When I spoke to him this morning he was positive. Naturally the day after he was injured everyone was very down.

“But we decided we had to focus and be positive and think he is going to make it. He is making progress but we have consciously made the decision not to test him out too early.”

As a result, Tuanzebe may be given a start in place of Eric Bailly.

With Victor Lindelof also available it will be two of the three who start the game.

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Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is without four big names and could ring the changes against the relegated Cottagers

Jones, Martial and James are longer term issued and will also be missing.

And their absence will lead to a midfield reshuffle.

Paul Pogba will likely drop back into a deeper role and play at the base of midfield in a 4-2-3-1 alongside Scott McTominay or Fred.

Marcus Rashford, Bruno Fernandes and Mason Greenwood will make up the attacking three behind Edinson Cavani if Solskjaer plays his strongest team.

United travel to Wolves for their final game of the season with Solskjaer expected to play a weakened side for the Molineux match as he rests his biggest stars ahead of the Europa showdown.

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