De Gea back between the posts as Solskjaer hands James surprise recall

The long-awaited first league meeting in 16 years between Manchester United and Leeds United takes place at Old Trafford this afternoon.

Kick-off in the north-west is at 16:30 GMT.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has made five changes to the Manchester United team that beat Sheffield United on Thursday.

David de Gea (£5.3m) is one of the players recalled, with Dean Henderson (£5.3m) dropping to the bench.

Luke Shaw (£4.8m), Fred (£5.3m), Scott McTominay (£4.9m) and Daniel James (£6.2m) are also handed recalls as Alex Telles (£5.5m), Paul Pogba (£7.7m), Nemanja Matic (£4.8m) and Mason Greenwood (£7.1m) make way.

Greenwood is among the substitutes and Edinson Cavani (£7.9m) is back on the bench after a spell out through injury.

On James’ surprise inclusion, Solskjaer said:

Sometimes it’s players who suit different opposition but also the rotation. It has to happen because of all the games we’ve played, with the physical strain and preparation times in between.

Dan’s worked really hard. We know his qualities and I think, today, his qualities will be very valuable. We’ve found a role for him to play tonight and I think it’s going to work out well. He always gives you a defensive work-rate and his pace is electric on the counter as well.

Leeds’ head coach Marcelo Bielsa has unsurprisingly named the same team that defeated Newcastle United 5-2 in midweek.

Manchester United XI: De Gea, Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Maguire, Shaw, McTominay, Fred, James, Fernandes, Rashford, Martial.

Leeds United XI: Meslier, Dallas, Ayling, Cooper, Alioski, Raphinha, Rodrigo, Phillips, Klich, Harrison, Bamford.

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