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3 out-of-favour stars who could benefit from United’s hectic schedule

Manchester United were scheduled to play Liverpool last weekend but the game was postponed due to a massive protest organised against United’s owners, the Glazer family.

United’s revised schedule requires them to play seven games in 20 days.

The first game of these seven has already been played out against Roma at Stadio Olimpico on Thursday.

Despite losing 3-2, the Red Devils advanced to the Europa League final on the basis of the aggregate score.

Their remaining fixture list is as follows: 

  • Aston Villa (A) – May 9
  • Leicester (H) – May 11
  • Liverpool (H) – May 13
  • Fulham (H) – May 18
  • Wolves (A) – May 23
  • Europa League Final – May 26

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has hit out at the “men in suits” who have organised this fixture list. 

When he was asked his views on the rearrangement of the fixtures, he said: “It’s unheard of. It’s made by people who’ve never played football at this level.” 

“[It’s] Physically impossible for the players to do it after being here [Rome] – doing Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday is impossible.

It’s obvious that Solskjaer won’t be able to rely on his preferred lineup to get through this schedule.

He has to give game-time to players who haven’t played a lot of minutes this season. 

This opens the door for those players that Solskjaer is unsure about having in the team next season.

Here we look at the three players who will be hopeful of seeing more action in this business end of the season.

Donny van de Beek

If there is one player who deserves more game time, it is Donny van de Beek. 

In the Premier League this season, the 24-year-old midfielder has started only two games and has been called upon 14 times from the bench.

In fact, he has seen just 332 minutes of League action until now. 

Van de Beek has failed to break into the squad with Bruno Fernandes and Paul Pogba ahead of him.

Fernandes has started 32 league games out of the possible 33. The manager needs to make sure that he does not burn out his most prized asset before the European final on May 26.

This could be a fantastic opportunity for the Dutch international to show his worth at the Theatre of Dreams and put an end to any exit rumours.

Alex Telles

The fans were ecstatic to see Telles arrive at Old Trafford after their patience with Luke Shaw was running thin.

However, Shaw has been a revelation this season and has forced Telles to warm the bench more often than he would have wanted. 

The former Porto left-back has been a part of just seven English top-flight games this campaign. 

He is a full-back who prefers to venture forward and provide width to his team. 

He has a fantastic eye for creating chances, and United supporters would love to see him get more opportunities before the season ends.

Axel Tuanzebe

Axel Tuanzebe was expected to have a breakout season this year. Instead, he is getting closer to leaving Old Trafford.

Harry Maguire has been ever-present at the heart of the defence. Solsjkaer has rotated Victor Lindelof and Eric Bailly with the England international at the back. 

This has left Tuanzebe with very few opportunities to impress the Norweigan manager.

He has made only one league start, which came in a 1-2 loss to Sheffield United.

With the rush of fixtures, the manager will be forced to freshen up things at the back. 

This may be the last chance for the 23-year-old to shine, with his future at United in serious jeopardy.