Man United lineup vs Astana: Solskjaer selects young starting XI - full team news

Tom Doyle28 November 2019

Man Utd lineup vs Astana (4-2-3-1): Grant; Laird, Bernard​, Tuanzebe, Shaw; Garner, Levitt; Chong, Lingard, Gomes; Greenwood​

Substitutes: Kovar, Mengi, Taylor, Galbraith, Puigmal, Mellor, Ramazani

As expected, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has unleashed a host of Manchester United youngsters in today's Europa League tie against Astana in Kazakhstan.

With United having already qualified for the round-of-32, Solskjaer opted to leave a host of key players back in Manchester and take an 18-man squad largely made up of teenagers.

Ethan Laird, Di'Shon Bernard and Dylan Levitt all make their debuts with starting roles, while Lee Grant - the veteran of the squad at 36 - also makes his first start in goal.

In Pictures | Astana vs Man Utd | 28/11/2019

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Luke Shaw is also starts after a long injury layoff, and the defender needs a performance after seeing Brandon Williams become first-choice left-back in his absence.

Axel Tuanzebe and Jesse Lingard - the latter named as captain - are also both included in the XI.

Solskjaer said of his squad selection: "It’s common sense. We’ve done great to qualify after four games and it gives us an opportunity to give game time to experienced lads who need it. Axel [Tuanzebe], Luke [Shaw] and Jesse have not really had too many games and are coming back from injuries.

"It’s a great chance for me to give Lee [Grant] his first start for the club. It’s hard with young kids to give them enough games against men, professional games. We’ve got the EFL Trophy but, for me, this is a great chance to see them all together."

In Pictures | Man Utd training for Astana | 27/11/2019

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Max Taylor has earned headlines of late after receiving his first senior call-up since overcoming cancer, and is among the substitutes.

Manchester United via Getty Imag

Solskjaer said: "It's a fantastic story, to see him coming back. I met Max very early after I got the job to have seen his journey back to full fitness and the way he's conducted himself.

"It's something that he'll always have with him. He's been through something no-one should have to go through. He has come through the other end and is an inspiration to all the players.

"You can see now when he goes out on the football pitch, there is no fear anymore. He has seen it and he's allowed to have fear in his life. When you're on the pitch, you should enjoy yourself.

"I hope we can see him progress in his career and it's a chance for us to give him some extra motivation as well."

buildlineup.com

Squad numbers confirmed for United's debutants

41 - Ethan Laird

47 - Arnau Puigmal

49 - D'Mani Mellor

51 - Matej Kovar

52 - Max Taylor

54 - Ethan Galbraith

58 - Di'Shon Bernard

59 - Largie Ramazani

63 - Dylan Levitt

71 - Teden Mengi

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