MANCHESTER UNITED are set to start Scott McTominay and Odion Ighalo for their FA Cup fifth-round clash with Derby on Thursday night.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men are hoping to book their spot in the quarter-final and will go up against Wayne Rooney’s Rams.
Man Utd are expected to start a strong side scattered with youngsters, including Tahith Chong – who was expected to join Inter Milan in January – for the cup clash.
McTominay will continue his comeback having only started once following a knee injury – in the 5-0 drubbing of Club Brugge.
Another player to start only that game was January buy Ighalo – who found the net in the monster win.
And the Nigerian is set to make the starting XI as the only central striker.
Cup specialist Sergio Romero is likely to start in goal, with young pair Diogo Dalot and Brandon Williams in the full-back spots.
In the heart of defence, Eric Bailly is tipped to partner Harry Maguire for the game at Derby.
McTominay could be joined by Andreas Pereira in the heart of midfield, with Juan Mata, Jesse Lingard and Chong playing just off Ighalo.
But the big talking point will be Rooney going up against his old club.
Former team-mate Solskjaer reckons the veteran forward will be keen to show “there’s still fight in the old dog”.
The Old Trafford chief also joked any goal he scores for Derby on Thursday night should be taken off his Man Utd tally.
Meanwhile, Rooney revealed he believes Man Utd are “two or three years” away from being able to keep up with their fiercest rivals, Liverpool and Manchester City.
Derby host the Red Devils at 7.45pm for a spot in the FA Cup quarter-finals.
