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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Steven Railston

Rashford and Pogba to start - Manchester United predicted line up vs Middlesbrough in FA Cup fixture

Manchester United will have to beat Middlesbrough to progress to the next round of the FA Cup.

United beat Aston Villa 1-0 in the previous round at Old Trafford thanks to Scott McTominay's goal within the 10-minute mark.

The Reds will now play Middlesbrough in the fourth round of the FA Cup and they head into the fixture on Friday night after enjoying a winter break on the back of two consecutive wins against Brentford and West Ham in the Premier League.

Middlesbrough requested the maximum allocation of 9,443 tickets for the match and a large away contingent is expected.

Ralf Rangnick is set to make multiple changes and United will be looking to stamp their authority on the game.

Dean Henderson should make his third start of the season here. Henderson was keen on leaving United in search of regular game time across January, but his proposed loan move to Watford was blocked and he remains an understudy at the club.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka struggled with illness before the break and he should return to the starting XI against Middlesbrough. Phil Jones, Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw - the latter on his return from injury - can make up the remainder of the back four.

Rangnick might save Raphael Varane for Tuesday's game away against Burnley in the Premier League, likewise Bruno Fernandes.

Nemanja Matic started in United's marginal FA Cup win over Villa and he's likely to start again. The move to three in midfield has suited McTominay and Paul Pogba is likely to make his return after recovering from the thigh injury he sustained in November.

Which players would make your starting XI? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

Marcus Rashford reacted well to losing his placing in the starting line-up before the break, scoring in consecutive games from off the bench. He's an almost certain starter on the left and Jadon Sancho can start down the right channel.

Edinson Cavani is yet to return to the United Kingdom and Cristiano Ronaldo would have likely started regardless.

Predicted United XI: Henderson, Wan-Bissaka, Jones, Maguire, Shaw, Matic, McTominay, Pogba, Rashford, Ronaldo, Sancho.

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