Mourinho To Make 10 Changes: Predicted Man Utd XI To Face Reading

Manchester United will look to book their place in the fourth round of the FA Cup when they entertain Reading at Old Trafford on Saturday lunchtime.

Here is the team I think Jose Mourinho will pick for the game:

Goalkeeper: The Portuguese coach is expected to make wholesale changes to his squad and give his key men a rest following the hectic festive period so Sergio Romero could come in for David De Gea between the sticks.

Defence: There should be changes at the back too with Chris Smalling and Daley Blind coming in to the back four in place of Phil Jones and Marcos Rojo but Eric Bailly is unavailable as he’s with the Ivory Coast squad ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations.

Antonio Valencia deserves a breather so the versatile Ashley Young could get the nod over Timothy Fosu-Mensah to start at right back while Luke Shaw will be hoping for a chance to impress after returning to full fitness.

Midfield: Michael Carrick is expected to be rested meaning Marouane Fellaini could get a chance in midfield but Ander Herrera is one of the fittest players in the United squad so he may keep his place in the middle of the park.

Attack: Wayne Rooney was spotted back in training today after recovering from injury so the skipper could be ready to make his comeback this weekend which could see Paul Pogba given a well-earned rest.

Jesse Lingard and Henrikh Mkhitaryan played a lot of football over the Christmas and New Year period so they may make way with Antony Martial and Juan Mata coming back in after being left on the bench for the win over West Ham last time out.

Mourinho may also take the opportunity to hand Zlatan Ibrahimovic a much-needed breather so Marcus Rashford is expected to come in after making a huge impact off the bench against the Hammers.

Here is how we think United will line-up: