It's time to field the best possible team.
Each and every deserving member of Ralf Rangnick's squad is available to him this afternoon, and with only one midweek encounter remaining on the schedule for the remainder of the season, this underachieving United side must aim for consistency in terms of performances, results, and team selection.
Some players remained at Carrington during the March internationals, while others who were on national duty were only utilised in limited numbers. Rangnick must choose a team that has a realistic chance of finishing the season in the top four.
Without Fred, things are dreadful.
Some of the team's worst defeats have come when Fred has been conspicuously absent from others (Leicester and Watford). In both cases, United's post-international matchups were following international fortnights, and the Brazilian has not started in any of those matches this year.
The Brazilian returned to Carrington on Thursday after a trip to La Paz, Bolivia, and his value to Manchester United has grown over the last month as his form has improved.
The reverse matchup at Leicester, in which United were humiliated 4-2, signaled the beginning of the end for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as well as Paul Pogba as a regular for the Red Devils in a match in which Nemanja Matic was ruled out due to injury. Fred, who is a valuable asset on both sides of the table, is untouchable.
Changes on the defensive?
A lack of pressure from Alex Telles's mainly indifferent performances has not prompted Luke Shaw to back up his criticism of England's performance in the World Cup. Shaw hasn't played for Manchester United in more than a month, so he'll need to put in a solid performance as well as talk a good game.
United's online following has slammed Harry Maguire for the entire season, and the match-goers turned on him against Atletico Madrid. The supporters of Manchester United, on the other hand, are not as close to England's obnoxious group as they are, and Maguire is certain to receive a standing ovation from his teammates.
Who's going to be in the lead?
Although Cristiano Ronaldo and Jadon Sancho are two of the few untouchables in the United squad, the other position in their front three is still up for grabs. Anthony Elanga is still learning his trade and his naivete led to Atletico's winning goal at Old Trafford, while Marcus Rashford's season has taken a turn for the worst as a result of his absence from the England group.
Since being benched against Atletico, Marcus Rashford has not appeared in a game. That has provided him with adequate opportunity to assess the situation, clear his mind, re-calibrate, and possibly restore his form for the final stretch. The fact that Pogba is so productive when playing on the left wing has practically eliminated him from Rangnick's plans for the left side of the field.
Are you ready to move on?
Edinson Cavani was serenaded as he warmed up for his match against Atletico Madrid when he did not deserve it. With his call-up to the Uruguayan national team, it was safe to predict that he would be absent from today's game. He is no longer in the picture.
Whatever the case, whether Cavani plays for United again or not, he does not currently deserve to be adored by the supporters. They need to get on with their lives.
