Manchester United XI: De Gea, Darmian, Smalling(C), Blind, Shaw, Schweinsteiger, Herrera, Young, Mata, Memphis, Martial.
Subs: Romero, McNair, Rojo, Carrick, Schneiderlin, Valencia, Fellaini.
PSV XI: Zoet, Arias, Bruma, Moreno, Brenet; Hendrix, Guardado, Propper; Lestienne, De Jong, Narsingh
Manchester United have been on a roller-coaster ride since Sir Alex left the club and they currently seem to be on one of their many recent upward trajectories.
Recent history suggests that they will soon suffer another ‘blip’ but there is definite room for optimism based on the defeat of Liverpool.
For our money this Manchester United side is really coming together.
They are solid at the back and in midfield.
But the addition of Anthony Martial on deadline day could yet prove the master stroke.
Because Manchester United were still lacking dynamism and raw pace going forward.
It’s still early days, but in Martial, they appear to have that and more.
He’s not only devastatingly quick – an attribute which will help United get behind defences with much more frequency – but he seems beautifully composed in front of goal for one so young. And this was very evident in his run and finish against Manchester United’s fierce rivals at the weekend.
So, whisper it with caution, but United may finally be coming out of the other end of the post-Fegrie tunnel.
They still need to speed up their forward play.
But when Rooney returns (he’s out tonight) a forward line of Wazza, Martial, Memphis and Mata should give most teams problems.
