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No Ronaldo, but Varane to debut? - How Man Utd could line up against Wolves

Cristiano Ronaldo has completed a sensational return to Manchester United, but he likely won't be in the squad to face Wolves

 
11:48am on Saturday 28th August 2021
By
Martin Macdonald

Manchester United fans will likely have to wait until the international break before seeing Cristiano Ronaldo in the famous red shirt again.

On Friday, the club announced Ronaldo's sensational return from Juventus, as he transfers back to the Red Devils after leaving them for Real Madrid in 2009.

As of yet, Ronaldo hasn't actually completed a medical yet, so there are a few formalities that need to be taken care of before he is officially registered to play, and that won't happen before the Wolves match on Sunday.

We could, however, finally see the debut of Raphael Varane, who only made the bench in the uninspiring 1-1 draw against Southampton last weekend.

Jadon Sancho, too, might make the starting XI after being a substitute in the opening two matches of the campaign.

If those two come in, it will be at the expense of Victor Lindelof and Nemanja Matic, with positions being altered.

David de Gea will start in goal behind a back four of Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Varane, Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw.

Fred and Matic didn't offer much creativity against Southampton, so Solskjaer may use the Wolves game as an opportunity to move Paul Pogba make into a central midfield position alongside Fred.

The World Cup winner has been played off the left so far this season, but when Ronaldo comes in and Marcus Rashford returns, he will likely be moved deeper anyway.

Scott McTominay is sidelined currently after undergoing groin surgery, while Rashford is also recovering from shoulder surgery.

Bruno Fernandes, Jadon Sancho and Anthony Martial could start behind lone striker Mason Greenwood.

Edinson Cavani should make the squad, and we could see him from the bench.

Possible Man Utd XI v Wolves

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