Manchester United have hit a purple patch to ease any pressure on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
The Red Devils are flying off the back of victories over Tottenham and Manchester City.
With Marcus Rashford’s hot streak in front of goal from a wide left position, United have found their identity under Solskjaer.
AZ Alkmaar can still pinch top spot though with victory, meaning Solskjaer must find the balance between rotation and avoiding defeat at Old Trafford.
Here are the predicted line-ups.
1/25 Ratings: City vs United
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2/25 Manchester City
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3/25 Ederson – 5
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4/25 Kyle Walker – 5
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5/25 John Stones – 5
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6/25 Fernandinho – 6
AP
7/25 Angelino – 4
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8/25 Kevin De Bruyne – 6
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9/25 Rodri – 4
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10/25 David Silva – 4
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11/25 Bernardo Silva – 5
EPA
12/25 Gabriel Jesus – 4
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13/25 Raheem Sterling – 6
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14/25 Manchester United
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15/25 David de Gea – 8
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16/25 Aaron Wan-Bissaka – 9
Man of the match.
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17/25 Victor Lindelof – 8
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18/25 Harry Maguire – 7
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19/25 Luke Shaw – 7
EPA
20/25 Scott McTominay – 7
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21/25 Fred – 9
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22/25 Daniel James – 8
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23/25 Jesse Lingard – 7
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24/25 Marcus Rashford – 8
AP
25/25 Anthony Martial – 8
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1/25 Ratings: City vs United
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2/25 Manchester City
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3/25 Ederson – 5
REUTERS
4/25 Kyle Walker – 5
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5/25 John Stones – 5
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6/25 Fernandinho – 6
AP
7/25 Angelino – 4
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8/25 Kevin De Bruyne – 6
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9/25 Rodri – 4
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10/25 David Silva – 4
REUTERS
11/25 Bernardo Silva – 5
EPA
12/25 Gabriel Jesus – 4
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13/25 Raheem Sterling – 6
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14/25 Manchester United
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15/25 David de Gea – 8
EPA
16/25 Aaron Wan-Bissaka – 9
Man of the match.
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17/25 Victor Lindelof – 8
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18/25 Harry Maguire – 7
REUTERS
19/25 Luke Shaw – 7
EPA
20/25 Scott McTominay – 7
REUTERS
21/25 Fred – 9
Getty Images
22/25 Daniel James – 8
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23/25 Jesse Lingard – 7
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24/25 Marcus Rashford – 8
AP
25/25 Anthony Martial – 8
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What’s the team news?
Paul Pogba remains out with a foot problem but Solskjaer provided an encouraging update on his recovery. Diogo Dalot is back in training, as is Nemanja Matic. Marcos Rojo remains out but could join Eric Bailly and Timothy Fosu-Mensah when they link up with the group from next week.
AZ are without suspended forward Myron Boadu as well as Greek defender Pantelis Hatzidiakos (knee).
Predicted XIs
Man United: Romero; Dalot, Lindelof, Tuanzebe, Williams; Matic, Garner, Chong, Pereira, Mata, Greenwood
AZ: Bizot; Svensson, Wuytens, Vlaar, Wijndal; Wit, Clasie, Koopmeiners; Stengs, Druijf, Idrissi
When is the match?
The match is on Thursday 12 December with kick-off at 8pm in the UK.
What TV channel is it on and is there a live stream?
The match will be broadcast on BT Sport 2, coverage starts at 8pm and follows Standard Liege vs Arsenal.
It can also be streamed live by subscribers on the BT Sport app on desktop and mobile devices.
Who’s going to win?
Man United: 4/5
Draw: 11/4
AZ: 10/3
Prediction
United will mix in some youth, which could prove somewhat risky given AZ’s quality and top spot still to be decided, but we’ll opt for a narrow United win. 2-1.
