Opportunity Knocks
Manchester United youngster Mason Greenwood and outcast Phil Jones could be given an opportunity to shine in the Champions League instead of Cristiano Ronaldo
Manchester United's final game in the Champions League may be a dead rubber, but it is an opportunity for some of the fringe players to shine.
Manager Ralf Rangnick could make a raft of changes for the visit of Young Boys, knowing progress to the knockout stage is assured, to get a closer look at all the players at his disposal.
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After getting off to the perfect start in his first Premier League game, against Crystal Palace, Rangnick will be hoping to make it two wins out of two.
However, he could do that by giving an opportunity to several players who haven't had much game time this season.
Given the period of the season clubs are in, changes are likely to be made in order to avoid injuries to key players and give those who are often on the bench some much needed game time.
With that said, marvelbet369.com looks at which players Rangnick could start with some barely featuring this season and others recently returning from injuries.
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Goalkeeper
Dean Henderson
The 24-year-old has been unable to live up to expectations since coming back to Old Trafford at the beginning of the 2020/21 season.
Henderson featured regularly throughout that campaign, but this year has only played once in the Carabao Cup to West Ham United.
With David De Gea showing better consistency this campaign, Henderson has been unable to wrestle the position back.
As such, he has had to watch from the sidelines with the Spaniard playing every minute so far in the Champions League and Premier League this season but could give Rangnick something to think about if he starts and impresses against Young Boys.
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Defence
Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Phil Jones, Eric Bailly, Alex Telles
Having had an underwhelming season so far, Wan-Bissaka could have a brilliant opportunity to showcase his talents to Rangnick.
The 24-year-old was left out of the starting eleven against his old club but could be reinstated in the Champions League and wrestle back the right-back spot of Diogo Dalot.
Someone who has certainly been left in the cold in recent seasons is Jones. The 29-year-old Premier League winning centre-back has been battling injuries for the last few years but could finally make his long awaited return having been named on the bench in the last three league games.
Alongside Jones could be Bailly who has also barely featured this season but did start recently against Chelsea and was given many plaudits when he started against Atalanta on matchday four of the Champions League.
Telles is set to continue at left-back with Luke Shaw currently out injured.
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Defensive midfield
Nemanja Matic, Fred
Not only did he score a sensational goal against Palace, Fred has put in several improved displays in recent weeks.
The much maligned Brazil international contributed to two assists in the 3-2 win against Arsenal and was pivotal for both goals in the club's last win in the Champions League against Villarreal.
Matic could also be given a chance to impress next to Fred with Paul Pogba still out injured and especially to give Scott McTominay a rest.
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Attacking midfield
Juan Mata, Donny van de Beek
In Rangnick's 4-2-2-2 system, creative playmakers Mata and van de Beek could be given the opportunity to see if they can play in the formation.
The Spaniard is coming towards the end of his career, but similarly to Matic, could be drafted in to give a rest to Bruno Fernandes and at the same time give him some much needed minutes in the busy December schedule.
Van de Beek, meanwhile, is still yet to show his best form since signing for the club.
With other players who are available and could play in that position such as the Portuguese midfielder and Jadon Sancho, the 24-year-old has a great opportunity to show Rangnick that he is a better option and still wants to fight for his place at the club.
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Strikers
Marcus Rashford, Mason Greenwood
Greenwood is in need of minutes having not started in the last three league matches prior to Crystal Palace.
The 19-year-old is also widely tipped to become a striker later on in his career and may have the perfect chance to show why he could lead the line in years to come.
Rashford however is still on his way back after shoulder surgery that forced him to miss a few months at the start of the season and needs game time to get him back to full speed.
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With all that said, this is how Man United could line up in their Champions League tie against Young Boys...
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