Manchester United travel to Molineux on New Year's Eve for their final game of 2022.
The Red Devils have already guaranteed themselves fifth place in the Premier League heading into 2023, but they're still hoping to pick up three more points which would bolster their Champions League ambitions. A rejuvenated Wolves stand in their way, however, with new manager Julen Lopetegui in charge for his first home match.
The Midlands side snatched a last-gasp win away to Everton on Boxing Day thanks to Rayan Ait-Nouri's 95th-minute winner. Meanwhile, United recorded a routine 3-0 victory at home to Nottingham Forest on Tuesday, and boss Erik ten Hag has even more options to choose from for the Wolves clash.
There should be no change in goal, with David de Gea fresh from registering his sixth clean sheet of the league campaign as the Red Devils saw out a tumultuous year at Old Trafford. In defence, Raphael Varane should retain his spot, while Luke Shaw is expected to shift out to his natural left-back position following Lisandro Martinez's return from Argentina this week.
The 24-year-old had understandably been celebrating his country's World Cup win over Christmas, but he's back in Manchester and ready to get down to business. Meanwhile, Diogo Dalot didn't fare as well in Qatar and picked up an injury which has kept him out of action since Portugal were dumped out on December 10.
Like Victor Lindelof, the right-back has returned to training, but teammate Aaron Wan-Bissaka's form in his absence could force Ten Hag to stick with the Englishman. The United manager heaped praise on Wan-Bissaka's encouraging performance against Nottingham Forest, meaning it could be difficult for Dalot to reclaim his place, having hardly trained with the rest of the squad.
"I thought that the break was good for him," Ten Hag explained of Wan-Bissaka. "He returned, he was in the training camp in Spain, he could play some games in preparation for the restart. Now, he is playing games and he is doing really well, so I am happy with his performance. But we need that competition in our squad."
In midfield, Tuesday's Man of the Match, Casemiro, is a cert to start alongside partner Christian Eriksen, despite Fred's goal from the bench last time out. Ahead of them will be Bruno Fernandes, who'll likely be flanked by Antony and Marcus Rashford as they support striker Anthony Marital. Captain Harry Maguire and midfielder Scott McTominay are battling illness to make the journey.
Have your say! How should Man Utd line up against Wolves? Let us know your XI in the comments section.
Regardless of who gets the nod in Wolverhampton, they may find themselves out of the side soon enough if Ten Hag welcomes new singings next month. The Dutch tactician is happy with his options but has made it clear that he'd like more at his disposal come the end of the January transfer window.
"I think we have a squad," Ten Hag noted. "We have the players who are matching our criteria. But with all the games that are coming, it is tough competition in all the leagues. But if you want to also be in all the leagues and keep playing in all the leagues by winning games and cups as well. So, you need players, you need numbers to cover.
"So, we need good players. Not only numbers, you need quality players to cover that and also that you need competition. And you need also that you can make tactical choices. So, we are looking for the right player for our squad and has to match our sporting criteria but also our financial criteria."
Manchester United predicted XI to face Wolves: De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Varane, Martinez, Shaw; Casemiro, Eriksen; Antony, Fernandes, Rashford; Martial.
