Predicting Man Utd's Starting XI for Thursday's Clash with Derby County

Off the back of a frustrating 1-1 draw away at Everton on Sunday, Manchester United will be hoping to get back to winning ways as they take on Derby County in the FA Cup on Thursday. New boy Bruno Fernandes was handed the United Player of the Month award after a stellar February in which he was directly involved in four goals, but he is likely to be rested for this one ahead of the Manchester derby.

Amid a congested fixture schedule, almost anybody could get an opportunity in this cup tie. Here's a look at the XI Solskjær is likely to select on Thursday evening.

Goalkeeper & Defenders

Sergio Romero (GK) - Arguably the best back-up goalkeeper in English football, the Argentine is often the man selected for United's cup clashes. The 33-year-old has kept a remarkable 36 clean sheets in 56 appearances for the Red Devils.

Harry Maguire (CB) - Playing every single minute in the Premier League this season, Maguire has become a main stay in Solskjær's side. He is really coming into his own now after a shaky start to life at Old Trafford and is indispensable to his team, even in the cup.

Eric Bailly (CB) - The Ivorian has only made two appearances this season but he has impressed on both occasions, starring in a 2-0 away Premier League victory at Chelsea and featuring in his side's dominant 5-0 win over Club Brugge. He deserves a place in the starting Xi for this one.

Luke Shaw (CB) - United's head coach has been experimenting with a three-man defence recently, and Shaw has been a key figure filling in on the left side of the back line in recent weeks. He could be key in playing the ball out from the back.

Wing-Backs & Midfielders

Diogo Dalot (RWB) - Another player to have missed the majority of the season with injury, Dalot will appreciate some game time in a cup clash and would offer his side an abundance of pace and technical ability on the right flank.

Scott McTominay (CM) - Featuring off the bench against Watford last week, and starting against Everton on the weekend, McTominay requires some more minutes as he is eased back into Manchester United's midfield after a lengthy knee injury.

Fred (CM) - Seen by many as a 'flop' in his first season, Fred has turned things around in a big big way recently. Arguably one of United's standout performers in 2019/20, he will likely keep his place.

Juan Mata (CAM) - An experienced playmaker, Mata is the perfect man to have in behind two young strikers. Feeding the channels with his pin-point vision, his attacking teammates will thrive against lower quality opposition.

Brandon Williams (LWB) - Enjoying a breakthrough season, Williams has been a breath of fresh air when he's featured for United. With an aggressive spark, he's exactly the sort of player you want in a tense away fixture on a Thursday night.

Forwards

Daniel James (ST) - Albeit not his natural habitat, summer signing James has been utilised in an advanced striking position on a couple of occasions this season. He impressed as a centre forward in the Red Devils' 2-0 victory at Stamford Bridge in February.

Mason Greenwood (ST) - Recognised as one of the brightest young talents in the Premier League, the 18-year-old has netted on 13 occasions in 2019/20, including a goal against Tranmere Rovers in the fourth round of the FA Cup.

Source : 90min