This is gonna be a tough game. We're light in midfield, not really supporting our attack and our defense is liable to ship goals. For all United's current lack of goals, it's only a matter of time before it clicks, Rooney is on the back of his England record, Depay is ready to go and they have this new kid who is a relative unknown quantity. Much will hinge on whether we get our act together at the back and whether we find a way of playing with a relatively light midfield.
Ings deserves a go for hunger alone.
Carrick might be out, which is good news for us while Danny Blind will probably keep his place at centre back, he looked a mess against big forwards at Swansea. Schweinsteiger has looked off the pace so far. One big issue for us they have alot of height in their team, while we're vulnerable in the air.
Martial scored just 2 goals more than Origi last season. They, like us, have bought potential and I don't see Martial as any particular major threat (he won't start anyway). The only reason people are talking him up is he's fast and he cost a lot !
We must play with two up front and those two should be Benteke and Ings. I can't understand calls for Origi, he is most certainly behind Ings in the pecking order and has done nothing to deserve promotion above him, in fact to the contrary when looking at Ings' last cameo.
I'm not so sure United will 'click'. We heard that all last season and now we are seeing how light-weight United are up front. When Rooney plays as #9 he is isolated, when he drops deep they have no-one running past him. The only concern is if they maybe play Fellaini as #10 with Rooney ahead of him.
We have to play a midfield diamond of Lucas, Can, Milner and Firmino, though here's praying Henderson is back, that would be a major boost but I'd still just have him replace Can.
Sahko must replace Lovren though I'm concerned at all the opinion I've read on Lovren retaining his slot in the name of looking at a consistent back four. He's not going to improve his error rate simply by giving him more games, those errors are always in him, it's not a communication issue.
Gomez's natural defensive instinct should see him start ahead of Moreno.
I'm hoping LvG's bone-headness means he continues with Romero.
............................. Mignolet
Clyne ......... Skrtel ............ Sakho ............ Gomez
................................ Lucas
.............. Can ................................. Milner
................................ Firmino
................. Ings
................................... Benteke
We are going to lack attacking width but the only other currently fit options we have are Ibe (who could be used in place of Ings later on) and Kent who is going (gone ?) out on loan !