I don't see much reason for, nor do I expect to see many changes to the starting XI at all. I haven't heard any news on the potential sale of Darmian for a bit now, I'd expect it to be after this game if it happens. I think he'll start, but Young & Lukaku will probably make it onto the pitch earlier than the usual 20~ minute appearance for players lacking match fitness. I think it'll be more like 30-35 minutes. However, I can see the potential of Lukaku starting as it's an away game and we'd want him more match-ready for Spurs. Unfortunately, I think that would likely mean it's Rashford who is left out. By the looks of things, José wants to limit the amount of late World Cup arrival players who are on the pitch at the same time for now. Rashford and Pogba were both replaced against Leicester, even if the latter was very late on:
de Gea
Darmian Bailly Lindelof Shaw
Fred Pereira Pogba
Mata Lukaku Sanchez
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Grant; Smalling, Young; McTominay, Fellaini; Martial, Rashford
José has gone with Bailly/Lindelof earlier than I thought. Roll with it now, even if I think Smalling is our best, stick with the partnership for a while even if there are some wobbles. Only replace them for lesser games or injuries/suspensions. Jones & Rojo should only make the bench if that's the case, otherwise, there's no need for them to be in the squad. Young is a great bench option as he can play either fullback role. Once Valencia is back, I expect to see him and Shaw start all the important games (if Shaw stays in form) with Young on the bench to replace either when necessary. Again, stick with Pereira and Fred, for now, to see how they do, but expect Matic and Herrera to be knocking on the door after the International break. I'd rather Mata not start, but I get the feeling José is going to try and utilise the guys who didn't play in the World Cup at least until the Spurs game, with the exception of Lukaku/Rashford as they're pretty much required it seems (something isn't right with José & Martial's relationship and it seems as if José is putting across the point that despite him being fresh, he isn't even a requirement. Unfortunately, this could result in him moving on but I am hopeful he has a change of attitude and just works harder because that's what we need this season).
I keep saying it, but if we can get through these first four games and take maximum points, regardless of how we do it, we'll put ourselves in with a big chance of being somewhat successful. These four weeks will be some of the hardest and it won't be until the Watford game (after the internationals) that we could have a fully fit squad with no question marks over who is actually staying. Reckon we'll win this one, but Spurs and Burnley are games I'd lean more towards us drawing unless we really ramp it up and Lukaku hits the ground running this weekend.
