Pogba to miss out – How Manchester United could line up against West Ham
Manchester United will likely be without Paul Pogba on Tuesday night as they aim for a spot in the last eight of the FA Cup when they host West Ham.
The Frenchman was substituted just before half-time in the weekend’s 3-3 draw with Everton grasping his thigh and will almost certainly miss this cup tie.
Fred replaced him at Old Trafford on the weekend and he will likely be the man to step into the starting XI in what will remain a largely strong Manchester United side.
One likely change will come in goal, with Dean Henderson having started every game in either cup competition so far this season – there is no reason why that shouldn’t continue.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka has impressed with a more attacking mentality from right-back and should continue there while it will likely be Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof at centre back with Eric Bailly still nursing an injury.
There could be a change at left-back with Luke Shaw given a well-earned rest, allowing summer recruit Alex Telles to come in for what would be only a 14th appearance of the season.
Scott McTominay was superb against Everton, adding a second Premier League goal in as many games, but having started four games in 13 days there could be an opportunity for Nemanja Matic at the base of midfield, alongside Fred in Pogba’s absence.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer appears to have fallen upon a first-choice front four, which at the moment does not have Anthony Martial in it.
The Frenchman could be given an opportunity in the cup here though, despite competition being rife among the attacking options.
Bruno Fernandes should continue in the side along with Marcus Rashford, but the other two places are well and truly up for grabs.
Mason Greenwood scored in the last round, of the cup, Martial scored two off the bench against Southampton, Cavani has had back-to-back league games with goals and Donny van de Beek has played both FA Cup ties from the beginning so far.
Four of those must go into two spots, and they will likely go to Martial and van de Beek, with the cup games providing both the perfect opportunity for more minutes and the chance to play their way further into Solskjaer’s plans.