Manchester United will travel to Bramall Lane knowing a victory against Sheffield United will push them into fifth in the English Premier League (EPL) points table. But with Scott McTominay joining the likes of Paul Pogba and Eric Bailey in the long-term injury list, United are finding it difficult to string together a strong playing XI.  Ole Gunnar Solskjaer side recovered from the disappointing 0-1 to Bournemouth with a confident boosting 3-1 victory against Brighton two weeks before the international break. Sheffield though aren’t Brighton, who have already conceded 19 times in 13 games. Things, however, is bound to be different for Chris Wilder’s team after their latest injury setback. Sheffield will not only miss their goalkeeper Dean Henderson for the home encounter against United but will also be forced to make changes to his backline.

Sheffield United are unbeaten in their last five league matches, during which they have drawn three away and both of their home games. The Blades beat Arsenal for on their two victories at home and have also held Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur in the league. They are ranked eighth in the league standings and have conceded only nine times in 12 matches, which is the second-lowest among all teams. United, in contrast, have conceded 12 times and kept the last of their two league clean-sheets exactly two months and seven matches ago.

Manchester United

Predicted Line-Up: David de Gea, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Victor Lindelof, Harry Maguire, Brandon Williams, Nemanja Matic, Fred, Andreas Pereira, Daniel James, Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford.

Injury List: Paul Pogba, Eric Bailey, Marcos Rojo and Scott McTominay

Matic has just made his return from injury as have Luke Shaw, Axel Tuanzebe, Timothy Fosu-Mensah and Diego Dalot. But with McTominay’s ankle injury, the Serbian veteran will be forced into the playing XI as United are left with no proper and fit midfielder left. The former Chelsea defensive midfielder could play the opening hour before teenager James Garner is introduced. Timothy Fosu-Mensah, Diego Dalot and Tuanzebe could also make substitute appearances against Sheffield United.

Sheffield United

Predicted Line-Up: Simon Moore, Chris Basham, John Egan, Jack O'Connell, George Baldock, John Lundstram, Oliver Norwood, John Fleck, Enda Stevens, Lys Mousset and David McGoldrick.

Injury List: Egan suffered a head injury before the international break and is a major doubt for the clash against United. Dean Henderson, on the other, has no injury but will be able to take the field against his parent due to contract obligations.  In case, Egan doesn’t recover in time, Phil Jagielka could be starting at the heart of Sheffield defence.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 24, 2019 09:10 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).