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Bailly and Van de Beek start, Predicted Manchester Line-up (4-2-3-1) vs Watford

Manchester United are scheduled to host Watford in the FA Cup third round tonight.

The Red Devils recently bowed out of the Carabao Cup with a 2-0 semi-final defeat to arch-rivals Manchester City and they will be hoping to bounce back against the Hornets.

The FA Cup offers United another opportunity to challenge for silverware this term, but manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is expected to make numerous changes to the starting line-up.

With Premier League games to come against Burnley and Liverpool in the space of one week, a number of regulars including Bruno Fernandes, Marcus Rashford and Aaron Wan-Bissaka could be rested.

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Predicted Line-up:

Dean Henderson was the preferred goalkeeper for the Carabao Cup campaign and the 23-year-old should keep his place for the upcoming clash against the Hornets.

In the backline, the likes of Wan-Bissaka, Luke Shaw and Victor Lindelof should be rested. Axel Tuanzebe and Alex Telles are likely to feature in the right and left-back positions respectively.

Harry Maguire has been a regular choice in the central defence irrespective of the competition and the club-captain is expected to start. He should be partnered by Eric Bailly, who was rested in midweek, probably due to his injury issues over the years.

Scott McTominay and Fred have been the regular central midfield choices under Solskjaer in recent months, but both are likely to be given a breather. Nemanja Matic and Donny van de Beek should replace them. Van de Beek will be aiming to prove a point after managing just two minutes of first-team action over the past four games.

Further forward, Juan Mata is likely to take up the number 10 position from Fernandes, who should be rested after starting in all games bar one over the past couple of months.

Mason Greenwood should get another run on the right wing. The same goes for Daniel James on the opposite flank. Both players have recently lost their starting spots with the impressive form of Rashford and Paul Pogba.

Upfront, Anthony Martial should lead the line with Edinson Cavani serving the final game of his three-match ban this weekend. The Frenchman has fared well against the Hornets with four goals and one assist from the previous eight meetings.

Predicted Manchester United Line-up (4-2-3-1): Dean Henderson; Axel Tuanzebe, Eric Bailly, Harry Maguire, Alex Telles; Nemanja Matic, Donny van de Beek; Mason Greenwood, Juan Mata, Daniel James; Anthony Martial.

Stats from Transfermarkt.com