Wolves v Manchester United: Who makes the combined XI?

Looking at each side, Luke Hatfield merges both teams to provide a combined XI in Wolves' preferred 3-4-3 formation.

See who has made the cut here...

Goalkeeper

David De Gea

The easiest choice for this joint squad.

Whilst Rui Patricio is undoubtedly a very talented man between the sticks, David De Gea is arguably the world's best goalkeeper - so has to make this combined squad.

Premier League Golden Glove winner last season, the Spanish number one regularly pulls off saves few other stoppers are capable of - and has earned United countless points thanks to his quality.

If the 28-year-old has a good day against Wolves, they could find goals hard to come by.

Defence

Willy Boly

One of the key cogs in Nuno's back line, Willy Boly edges into this squad ahead of the likes of Chris Smalling and Phil Jones thanks to Wolves' stingier defensive record this season in comparison to United.

Conceding fewer goals than Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side so far this season, Boly has been integral for the past two seasons at Molineux.

Composed on the ball, strong and powerful in the air - Boly features on the left side of this back three and is well worth his spot.

He'll need to be at his best against United this weekend if Wolves are to keep a clean sheet.

Conor Coady

The central defensive figure in our combined XI - it's worth pointing out that Wolves' skipper would have a much smaller chance of making the cut if we were playing a back four (but we aren't).

Capable of influencing play from deep, Coady would work superbly in this joint squad, helping to release the forward players and midfielders who we'll mention shortly.

Whilst not a 'classic' centre-back, he fits Wolves' system perfectly - and given his organisational skills, is a huge leader on the pitch.

Hailing from Liverpool, he'll no doubt enjoy getting the better of the Red Devils if Wolves pull off a shock win.

Victor Lindelof

The final centre-back in our XI comes from Old Trafford - with his form under Solskjaer sealing his place over recent weeks.

Whilst Lindelof's start at United and early season performances under Jose Mourinho left plenty to be desired, his upturn under the Norwegian caretaker boss has been remarkable.

A smart passer and now seemingly full of confidence, the Swede still has ways to go to live up to his £30m+ price tag - but is coming good in a refreshed United side.

He'll face an interesting battle at Molineux - but could play a key role for Solskjaer's side.

Midfield

Luke Shaw

Making the cut ahead of Jonny Castro Otto and fellow United defender/wing-back Ashley Young, Luke Shaw is another player who's form has improved with Mourinho no longer controlling things at Old Trafford.

His form this season as a whole has been promising - with the 23-year-old now becoming a regular at United with more than 30 appearances under his belt this campaign.

At one point it appeared as though his United career could be over, but having battled back from injury - he's beginning to develop into quite a player in the north-west.

Given more license to get forward in a wing-back role, he'd be able to play a part on both sides of the ball in this XI.

Paul Pogba

Mercurial, enigmatic and imposing - Paul Pogba was the first name to make our midfield, and for good reason.

Another player flourishing following Mourinho's exit, the World Cup winning midfielder may be unpredictable, but is still one of the best in his position in the Premier League and Europe when he's on it.

Capable of scoring stunning goals, driving his team forward and turning games on their head on a whim, the 25-year-old has buckets of quality.

He'll be integral for United at Molineux, and if he's firing - he'll give Wolves' midfield and defence all sorts of problems.

Joao Moutinho

Squeezing into this combined squad ahead of several notable names including Nemanja Matic, Ruben Neves, Alexis Sanchez and Ander Herrera - Joao Moutinho's form this season has bagged him a place in this starting line-up.

He's been the pick of Wolves' midfield without question this season, and costing the club just £5m - his deal has been one that almost defies logic considering the prices other players have been purchased for.

Knowing Wolves' system inside out, Moutinho would compliment his fellow midfielders and the attacking options in this combined XI perfectly with his creativity, hard work and passing ability.

He also scored a beauty at Old Trafford in Wolves' league clash against United - doing the same again in the FA Cup would further cement his place as a fan favourite at Molineux.

Matt Doherty

Diogo Dalot? Antonio Valencia? Matteo Darmian? No chance, Matt Doherty makes the cut over all of them.

A man playing out of his skin this season, Doherty, purchased for next to nothing (£75,000), has become one of Wolves' best performers in the top flight at right wing-back and was an easy choice in this squad.

He's scored six goals this season, three of those in the FA Cup, and providing eight assists - the Irishman is rightly earning plenty of plaudits for his performances.

He'll be key against United at Molineux - don't bet against him having a sizeable impact in the encounter.

Attack

Marcus Rashford

The first of our front three, Marcus Rashford is the man set to play in the left-forward role.

Pacey and precise, Rashford is surely one of the young shining lights of the United squad and the Premier League in general.

Earning his place ahead of the likes of Alexis Sanchez and Diogo Jota, Rashford was an easy choice for this squad having netted 11 goals and logging nine assists in 37 appearances this season across all competitions.

You can picture him causing problems for Wolves' defence this weekend...

Raul Jimenez

The central player in our front three - Raul Jimenez gets in ahead of none other than Belgian star striker Romelu Lukaku, and here's why...

Whilst Lukaku's form of late has been superb (he netted twice in games against Crystal Palace, Southampton and PSG recently), Jimenez has actually played a part in more goals this season - providing 14 goals (one less than the United striker) and seven assists (three more than Lukaku) in fewer overall appearances.

What's more, he fits into our 3-4-3 formation easily and is far more adept at linking up play between the midfield and his fellow forwards.

He might not be as big a name, but he makes this XI, and rightly so.

Anthony Martial

Topping off our starting XI is French winger Anthony Martial, albeit in a less familiar role on the right.

Pacey and powerful, with the World Cup winner on the opposite flank to Rashford, they offer this side pace down both wings and goals aplenty too.

He's managed 11 goals and two assists this season for United, but with Jimenez linking up with him - you'd imagine he could add plenty to that tally in this squad.

Wolves will have their work cut out to stop Martial at Molineux should he feature for Solskjaer's side this weekend.

Manager

Nuno Espirito Santo

Whilst credit needs to be given to Solskjaer for the work he's done at United following Mourinho's departure - he does have an embarrassment of riches to play with.

Nuno however, has helped mastermind Wolves' climb to seventh place following their title-winning campaign last season with one of the smallest squads in the league.

The work he's done to get Wolves where they are cannot be understated - should he add to this by getting to Wembley and sealing a Europa League spot, there'll be no questioning the good work he's done.

Ole can take a place as assistant in this squad...

Our complete XI:

Subs: Rui Patricio, Chris Smalling, Ruben Neves, Nemanja Matic, Adama Traore Diogo Jota, Romelu Lukaku.

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