Dugout Discussion

Greenwood absent and Pogba benched as Solskjaer names surprise starting XI

The last of four Premier League matches to take place on Saturday sees Manchester United head north to face Newcastle United.

Kick-off at St James’ Park is at 20:00 BST.

We suspected there’d be changes to the visitors’ team following the 6-1 humiliation at the hands of Tottenham Hotspur a fortnight ago but not many of us would have anticipated Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s starting XI.

There are five changes to the line-up that started in north London, with the suspended Anthony Martial among the players dropping out.

Marcus Rashford moves up front in the Frenchman’s absence.

That tactical alteration was much-predicted but the omission of Mason Greenwood from the matchday squad was a curveball, while Solskjaer has also sprung a surprise by changing both of his holding midfielders.

Paul Pogba and Nemanja Matic drop to the bench, with Scott McTominay and Fred coming into the side.

Victor Lindelof also ousts Eric Bailly at centre-half, with the hitherto peripheral Daniel James and Juan Mata given the nod to replace Martial and Greenwood.

New signing Alex Telles is only on the bench but the under-fire Harry Maguire has recovered from injury to line up in defence.

The hosts’ team news is much more straightforward.

Steve Bruce has made only one change from the team that originally lined up in the 3-1 win over Burnley, with Jamaal Lascelles replacing the injured Fabian Schar at centre-half.


Newcastle United XI: Darlow, Krafth, Fernandez, Lascelles, Lewis, Hayden, Shelvey, Hendrick, Saint-Maximin, Joelinton, Wilson.

Manchester United XI: de Gea, Wan-Bissaka, Lindelöf, Maguire, Shaw, McTominay, Fred, Mata, Bruno Fernandes, James, Rashford.

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1,065 Comments Post a Comment
  1. The Train Driver
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    ASM looking like Messi vs this Man Utd..

  2. Ibralicious
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Although Ole is really confusing us all with this lineup, it's almost certain that it's Woodward that needs to go not the manager. Just a club being run by business buddies that clearly favor cronyism over results. SMH

    1. Nightcrawler
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Not really. Dont be fooled by the haters. Still got a great squad just an unlucky start. Will still finish 3rd worst case scenario . GGMU

    2. Tinkermania
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      You are right. You shouldn't get rid of a manager who scored in champions league FiNaL 😉

  3. Vazza
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Wilson looking like Henry vs this Man Utd..

  4. Ady87
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Can’t wait to transfer Greenwood out. Who for? No spare budget. £7.3m.

    Jorginho? Anyone else?

    1. Over The Mounié
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Bowen

    2. Baps hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Grealish or Zaha (good fixtures)

    3. Vlad
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Graelish or Barnes

  5. Right In The Stanchion
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Why do Man Utd fans say they’re the biggest club in the world?

    They’ve had massive periods of winning zilch. Just had big success with Fergie. Since and before they were absolute shite.

    1. Nomar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Sir Matt Busby..........

      1. Right In The Stanchion
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Won a few trophies then got relegated

    2. Nightcrawler
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Biggest fan base biggest stadium most titles. Yeah were not big okayyy

      1. Right In The Stanchion
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Bigger then Real Madrid, Bayern & Barca?

        1. Nightcrawler
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          No biggest in england

          1. Right In The Stanchion
            • 4 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            So not the biggest club in the world. Liverpool are bigger also.

        2. Gobigorgohome
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          yes.. at least in Asia

        3. Rocky FPL
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Biggest in England mate.

          1. Right In The Stanchion
            • 4 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            Liverpool have 5 European cups

            1. Nightcrawler
              • 4 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              Nott forrest have more european cups than arsenal

              1. Right In The Stanchion
                • 4 Years
                3 years, 6 months ago

                But 1 league title and play in the championship

                1. Nomar
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 14 Years
                  3 years, 6 months ago

                  Dude, stop it!

                  I’m not a United fan by any means, but they’re a massive club. They have a huge global presence and fan base.

                  Considering the Premier League is probably the most watched league on this planet I’d say that, yes, they probably have as big a fan base as any other club in the world.

                  There’s no shame in admitting that. It is what it is.

            2. Old Man
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 12 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              6, but Man Utd have a bigger fan base

    3. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      One of the biggest in terms of brand and global fanbase

      1. Gobigorgohome
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        yes.. their fan base is so huge in Asia

    4. have you seen cyan
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Celtic have more fans than ManU

  6. Gobigorgohome
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    BRUNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

  7. Jebiga
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Bruno

  8. Jebiga
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    VAR LOL

  9. Zimo
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Fek is offside

    1. Warby84
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Only 2yrd

  10. Lev Yashin
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Bru...not again.

  11. Bushwhacker
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Offside

  12. SEXY SOLO SAUCE
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Lovely man

  13. Cok3y5murf
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Bruno only scores penalties and offside goals

  14. Brosstan
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Bruno owners getting VARed is sweet justice

    1. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      This

  15. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Phew, no Bruno jam

    1. KGFC
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Just got an assist

      1. Zimo
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        No he didn't. It was Mata

      2. Gobigorgohome
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        it was Mata??

      3. Shark Team
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Is his name Bruno Mata?

  16. Bruno Commando
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Robbo for TAA. Who's with me?

    1. Bushwhacker
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Already did on my WC last week.

      1. Ibralicious
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        All smart folks did this ^ 😀

    2. Rocky FPL
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Sideways

    3. Super Silva Haze
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      did it yesterday, feels ok and you save some money

      1. Bruno Commando
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Yea seems like Liverpool is attacking down the left a little bit more now.

  17. SEXY SOLO SAUCE
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Oh well it’s a good sign

  18. threeputt
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    oh pee !

  19. KGFC
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Maguire score.... Beechees!!

  20. SEXY SOLO SAUCE
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Bruno 🙂

    1. Brosstan
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Mata took the corner

  21. Pukki Party
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Mata is still world class

    1. Meinhoff
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Was he ever world class tho

      1. Nightcrawler
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        2012 13 season fpl legend

      2. Pukki Party
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        World cup, euros, CL winner

    2. Piggs Boson
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I love Mata.

      1. Old Man
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Really nice bloke too. Slow these days, but was a really good player.

    3. Bushwhacker
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Best player in this squad

  22. Herman Toothrot
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    80 mIlLiOn

  23. Bushwhacker
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Newcastle cannot defend

  24. Abusive_Sgt_Daelrhos
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Haryyyy

  25. Crouching Tiger
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    LOL at those guys who lol'd at Maguire earlier 🙂

  26. Gobigorgohome
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    LOL MATA TOOO THE CORNOR????

  27. have you seen cyan
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    How was Kun today? I saw some people saying he picked up an assistant ref, is he in trouble for that?

    1. Bushwhacker
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      No. First touch was absolute class, Arsenal played with a wall so few chances.

    2. Manani
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      didn't look threatening compared to sterling/foden.

    3. Bram
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      No - looked OK nothing special. Certainly not rushing to rip up my side to get him in.

  28. rnrd
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Got to love that vintage topic:

    Soooo with Jesus ouf for months according to Pep, are we back at the Aguero (C) essential FPL point within a few weeks?

  29. Ibralicious
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Alright haters, here we go again. Despite the terrible start to his season, Slabhead Maguire is by far a top 5 CBsin the premier league.

  30. Piggs Boson
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    So glad it was Maguire. Bloke's had a rough month.

    1. Crouching Tiger
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Game on now

    2. Ibralicious
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      This. Doesn't deserve all the hate, still a class center-half and great leader

      1. Bushwhacker
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        He’s very average and as inspiring as Ole.

        1. @persecuted_by_mods
            3 years, 6 months ago

            How do you finish third and have one of the best defences in the league if you're just average?

            1. Bushwhacker
              • 4 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              Because Chelsea and Leicester collapsed.

              1. @persecuted_by_mods
                  3 years, 6 months ago

                  Excuses

              2. The Big Fella
                • 7 Years
                3 years, 6 months ago

                Because the competition were shite last year and Bruno revitalised the attack

                1. @persecuted_by_mods
                    3 years, 6 months ago

                    If the competition was shite and he wasn't that makes him above average

                    1. The Big Fella
                      • 7 Years
                      3 years, 6 months ago

                      Touché

                2. Piggs Boson
                  • 12 Years
                  3 years, 6 months ago

                  One of the best defences in Europe last season. I think they were the best at one stage.

                  Bizarre what's happened.

            2. The Big Fella
              • 7 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              He kicked off on holiday then got physical with the police and then tried to use his money and influence to bribe them. Explain to me how he is the victim here and why we should all feel sorry for him because he is not playing well at the moment?

              1. Wild Rover
                • 13 Years
                3 years, 6 months ago

                Exactly

              2. Piggs Boson
                • 12 Years
                3 years, 6 months ago

                There's currently an appeal, so he's still technically innocent.

                We don't know what actually happened.

                1. The Big Fella
                  • 7 Years
                  3 years, 6 months ago

                  I was in Greece when it happened and it was all over the news. I would say it is pretty clear cut and there are too many people with the same story for them to all be wrong. Is he really trying to convince us that on a busy street two Albanians (the scapegoats for anything that ever goes wrong in Greece - same as the Burmese in Thailand) pulled out a needle in then tried to inject his sister? He is a scrote and his troubles off the pitch are his own doing. The only reason he will get away with this is because he is rich and his lawyers will be bribing everybody to ensure the appeal is in his favour.

                  1. Hulk Smash
                    • 8 Years
                    3 years, 6 months ago

                    The Maguires' story sounds mostly plausible to me. If you're saying the stuff with the Albanians didn't happen then why did he 'kick off' and why did he then 'get physical with the police'?

                    As far as I'm aware he's not got a history of getting involved in fights etc off the pitch and it makes complete sense that if he got violent on holiday with his family, there's a good chance it was to protect them.

                    Also your point about Albanians being made scapegoats in Greece is very odd. Are you implying that Maguire, a footballer, knew that was the case and therefore chose to concoct a lie that they were attacked by Albanians? Are footballers known for having their fingers on the geopolitical pulse in foreign countries?

                    1. MSTRKRFTSMN
                      • 10 Years
                      3 years, 6 months ago

                      Obviously you know nothing about body language then. He was lying through his teeth.

                      1. Hulk Smash
                        • 8 Years
                        3 years, 6 months ago

                        Do you have a PhD in it? You don't tend to voluntarily put yourself in an extended interview to lie, particularly if you are not very eloquent or great at public speaking. It was an awful interview because he was uncomfortable discussing a distressing personal event and because he knew he was in the wrong to some extent, whatever the circumstances and provocations. People seem to forget that most footballers are pretty ordinary people from working class backgrounds, but because they get paid millions they are expected to be perfect at everything.

                      2. The Big Fella
                        • 7 Years
                        3 years, 6 months ago

                        Change the story just enough so that it is a lie and twisted to suit you but close enough to reality so that you can't be tripped up when cross questioned with the facts

                    2. The Big Fella
                      • 7 Years
                      3 years, 6 months ago

                      I think he kicked off because people were trying it on with his sister, as the witnesses were saying in Greece. They have then elaborated and embellished what happened so his response looks measured and justified when it was actually the result of poor reasoning owing to being on the beer all day.

                      The Greek lawyers that were working with the Manchester United lawyers that flew out will know how to twist the story, he hasn't got the intelligence to come up with the Albanian angle on his own and the (very expensive) legal team he has working for him will know how to make a story that sounds plausible.

                      With the current evidence, he was found guilty in a very short space of time meaning it is pretty damning and shows the strength of the case against him. He has got an appeal but the evidence will be the same. The only difference is his lawyers will have had time to pay off the right people this time.

                      Are you honestly saying that you think two Albanian lads pulled out a syringe surrounded by people there to inject his sister? If they wanted to spike her, why not just put something in her drink? Why was the syringe not found too? Ultimately, there is no excuse for attacking the police and/or bribing them.

                      1. Hulk Smash
                        • 8 Years
                        3 years, 6 months ago

                        I don't pretend to know for definite what happened. But one thing I know a lot about is lawyers and the law. If you seriously think lawyers will routinely just make up some outright lies and pay people off, honestly you're barking up the wrong tree. You'd get kicked out of the profession for less than a tenth of anything like that. No lawyer worth anything is risking his career doing

                        1. Hulk Smash
                          • 8 Years
                          3 years, 6 months ago

                          ...something that stupid.

                          Also the legal system in Greece is known to be subpar and vulnerable to corruption. And of you believe it's so easy to simply pay people off in the Greek legal system, doesn't that support the argument that the police and/or courts could be corrupt and complicit in what happened?

                          1. The Big Fella
                            • 7 Years
                            3 years, 6 months ago

                            And the all the non-police witnesses with the same story? You really are clutching now.........

                            1. Hulk Smash
                              • 8 Years
                              3 years, 6 months ago

                              Judging by your opinion of how easy it is pay off the Greek courts, finding a couple of witnesses for hire must be a piece of cake.

                            2. MSTRKRFTSMN
                              • 10 Years
                              3 years, 6 months ago

                              So naive

                        2. The Big Fella
                          • 7 Years
                          3 years, 6 months ago

                          Welcome to Greece mate!

                  2. Bennerman
                    • 5 Years
                    3 years, 6 months ago

                    How is he a scrote?

            3. Ron_Swanson
              • 13 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              He’s none of those things

          • Bushwhacker
            • 4 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            Good job he hasn’t had to defend.

            1. Joey Tribbiani
              • 3 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              😀