Manchester United Predicted Lineup for Boxing Day Wolves Clash

Manchester United will look to return to winning ways after a difficult spell that culminated in a damaging 3-0 defeat at home to Andoni Iraola’s Bournemouth last weekend. The Red Devils will travel to the Black Country to face a Wolves side under new management, with Portuguese coach Vitor Pereira replacing Gary O’Neil in the Molineux hot seat. Here is the Manchester United predicted lineup for the Boxing Day clash.

Manchester United Predicted Lineup In Boxing Day Clash vs Wolves

How Manchester United Have Lined-up Recently

Since Ruben Amorim’s appointment last month, the Red Devils have switched to a 3-4-2-1 formation following a consistent 4-2-3-1 under previous boss Erik ten Hag.

André Onana is the first-choice goalkeeper, with Noussair Mazraoui, Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martinez lining up in the Bournemouth defeat. Matthijs de Ligt is a regular when fit, with Victor Lindelof and Jonny Evans as rotation options.

At wing-back, Diogo Dalot has filled in on both flanks, with Amad Diallo, Tyrell Malacia and Antony also having stints on the flanks.

In midfield, Manuel Ugarte has established himself as a regular starter alongside one of Christian Eriksen, Kobbie Mainoo and Casemiro. Bruno Fernandes, nominally one of the two number 10s in Amorim’s system, has been operating in a deeper role of late, playing in central midfield and seeing more of the ball.

In attacking midfield, Amad, Alejandro Garnacho, Joshua Zirkzee and Marcus Rashford have rotated behind Rasmus Hojlund, with Dutchman Zirkzee also being deployed as a number nine.

Manchester United Recent Form and Tactics

A morale-boosting victory away victory over struggling rivals Manchester City was meant to kickstart former Sporting Lisbon manager Amorim’s Manchester United tenure, but two successive defeats to Tottenham in the Carabao Cup and Bournemouth in the Premier League see the Red Devils stuttering and struggling for momentum.

Set-pieces continue to be the team’s Achilles’ heel and will need to be improved in order to avoid shipping preventable goals. On the other hand, there has been an improvement in United’s overall game, which sustained spells of possession and better interchange play suggesting that Amorim is beginning to mould a more cohesive unit.

Manchester United Injuries to Consider

Matthijs de Ligt has recovered from illness and, barring a late fitness test, should return to the squad. Victor Lindelof, Mason Mount and Luke Shaw are all out for an undetermined period of time.