Man Utd team news: Expected XI at Tottenham as Solskjaer makes changes to save his job

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Ole Gunnar Solskjaer takes his Manchester United side to Tottenham knowing that this could be the last game of his tenure at Old Trafford. The stakes have never been higher for the Norwegian, who simply cannot afford to lose, as he fights to stay in the job.

He has received a helping hand though in the sense he has no new injury problems ahead of the journey south.

Solskjaer confirmed that he has a full squad to pick from besides the suspended Paul Pogba when he addressed the media on Friday afternoon.

“Paul is suspended but apart from that it’s a fully fit squad which is a very strange position to be in, to have 25 outfield players and five keepers this week. All fit,” he said.

Picking his team will not be easy though after last week’s 5-0 humiliation against Liverpool.

In theory, Solskjaer could drop the entire starting XI for their part in the humiliating defeat but he is expected to stand by the majority of those at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

With the dressing room seemingly split, the team selection at Tottenham will provide huge insight into who Solskjaer feels he can really trust in time of crisis.

David de Gea is expected to keep his spot between the sticks ahead of Dean Henderson.

Meanwhile, at left-back, there could be a run out for Alex Telles due to Luke Shaw’s desperate lack of form.

It would only be fair for the Brazilian to get his chance after showing huge patience but there is still every chance Solskjaer could stick with the England international.

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At centre-back, captain Harry Maguire is expected to keep his place despite his shoddy performances and Raphael Varane could return to the starting XI in place of Victor Lindelof after taking part in training this week.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka, who was poor in last weekend’s thrashing as Liverpool’s frontmen ran riot, could still keep his place due to the lack of serious competition at right-back.

In midfield, Scott McTominay could keep his place while Nemanja Matic could return in place of Fred as Solskjaer opts for some experience.

Out wide, Jadon Sancho could return for Mason Greenwood, who was hooked at half-time against Liverpool.

Marcus Rashford could easily have been subbed off too but he is expected to keep his place in the starting XI.

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Bruno Fernandes should also start at CAM with Cristiano Ronaldo set to lead the line, despite his questionable form.

Back in September, Solskjaer did reveal he’d planned to pair Ronaldo with Edinson Cavani in attack at some point, something that is yet to happen.

Cavani is more than worthy of a start but Ronaldo’s fury at being dropped last time against Everton has backed Solskjaer into a corner.

The United boss said in September: “It’s exciting to see them two together

“I’m sure that’ll be a good partnership as well, [two players] wanting to be on the end of things. We’ve seen some teams dropping deeper against us, not giving us as much space in behind and that’s definitely two boys you’d like to have around the goal when that’s the scenario.

“I can see them two working well together.”

Potential United XI vs Tottenham (4-2-3-1): David de Gea; Telles, Maguire, Varane, Wan-Bissaka; Matic, McTominay, Sancho, Bruno Fernandes, Greenwood, Ronaldo.

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