Ralf Rangnick named an unchanged starting XI for his first match as interim manager but the Manchester United boss is set to shuffle his pack when they welcome Young Boys in the Champions League
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Rangnick reflects on first win as Man Utd manager
Ralf Rangnick has hinted that he will make a number of changes to Manchester United ‘s starting XI for their Champions League match against BSC Young Boys on Wednesday.
The Red Devils beat Crystal Palace 1-0 in the Premier League two days ago with an unchanged team in his first match as interim manager.
But having already won Group F to secure their place in the knockout stages, Rangnick is expected to make a host of alterations when Young Boys, chasing Europa League qualification, come to town.
Anthony Martial and Jesse Lingard recently joined a busy treatment room containing Luke Shaw, Raphael Varane, Paul Pogba and Edinson Cavani.
Despite Rangnick’s limited options, the temporary boss has still indicated that he will shuffle his pack for United’s dead-rubber clash at Old Trafford.
Join the debate! Who should Rangnick take a look at against Young Boys? Let us know your thoughts here.
“It’s perfectly possible we bring some fresh players because the next game is coming up on Saturday, an away game at Norwich [City],” the 63-year-old said.
“It is possible, we will speak about that tomorrow at Carrington.
“The problem is we can only play players who are in the Champions League list.
“For example, Phil Jones, whom I would love to give game-time on Wednesday after his long-term injury, unfortunately, he is not on the list, so we have to put our focus on players who will be allowed to play.
“It is possible, I don’t know if we play a completely new 10 players because I don’t know if we have enough players on the list but it’s definitely possible we could play with some new players.”
Mason Greenwood is poised to take Cristiano Ronaldo ‘s place in the front line, having provided the assist for Fred ‘s 77th-minute winner on Sunday as a substitute.
19-year-old Anthony Elanga also appeared from the bench during the victory, while Donny van de Beek made a cameo.
The pair could both be handed starts but one youngster is definitely out of contention – and the country.
Teenage star Hannibal Mejbri is away on international duty with Tunisia for the Arab Cup, picking up the Man of the Match award as his nation beat the United Arab Emirates 1-0 on Monday.
However, a number of other prodigies could feature as UEFA allow academy players to be added to a Champions League squad B list 24 hours before kick-off.
Although Rangnick’s XI is difficult to predict, the formation which the Red Devils will line up in seems more concrete.
Against Palace, United found success in a 4-2-2-2 and the German favours that shape with the personnel he has available.
“We had enough space with Jadon [Sancho] and Bruno [Fernandes] in those number ten positions for our fullbacks to play forwards and ask for the ball on the wings,” he explained.
Have your say! How should Man Utd line up against Young Boys? Pick your team below.
“That was the reason I decided to play a 4-2-2-2.”
Rangnick added: “We played with two strikers, Marcus [Rashford] and Cristiano up front with Jadon and Bruno on the 10 position and for the rest of the team it was the same position as usual.
“I just thought it might be better to have control in the centre of the pitch with Cristiano having a partner up front and I think it worked out well.”
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