MANCHESTER UNITED welcome Real Sociedad to Old Trafford for the second-leg of their Europa League last-32 tie on Thursday.
Paul Pogba is definitely unavailable but with the Red Devils having thrashed the Spanish side 4-0 in the first-leg, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer can afford to rest some other big stars.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer can play some fringe players with his team 4-0 up after the first leg
Pogba limped off with a thigh injury during United’s 3-3 draw with Everton on February 6 and has still not recovered.
In the build up to their 3-1 win over Newcastle on Sunday, Solskjaer said: “Paul is recovering well, starting treatment. Still a few weeks, so he won’t be playing in February, that’s for sure.”
The Norwegian could also be without Edinson Cavani, Scott McTominay and Donny van de Beek who are also doubts.
All three were not in the squad for the Newcastle game and it seems unlikely Solskjaer would risk them Thursday with the tie as good as won.
Cavani picked up a muscle injury which also saw him stay at home while his team-mates travelled to Turin for the first-leg.
Van de Beek also missed the trip for the same reason while McTominay picked up a knock during the game and was subbed off on the hour mark.
The excellent first-leg result gives Solskjaer the freedom to rest some big names and give fringe players more game time.
Dean Henderson will almost certainly start instead of David De Gea – as he did in the first leg.
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Solskjaer will only risk his big names if he has to
Defensive pair Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof are lilely to be given a breather with Axel Tuanzebe and Eric Bailly drafted in.
Alex Telles – who started the first leg – and Brandon Williams could complete a total back-four overhaul at full-backs.
Nemanja Matic and Fred started against the Toon and can expect recalls while goalscorer Dan James is also likely to get the nod again.
Solskjaer has confirmed young stars Amad Diallo and Shola Shoretire will be in the squad and, although not expected to start, could play significant parts.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
