Man United have named a near full-strength side to take on Cardiff City at Old Trafford this afternoon, as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side look to go out on a high this season. United don’t really have much to play for given the fact that they can no longer qualify for the Champions League this season, thus it’s understandable to see why Solskjaer has named the team that he has. Youngster Mason Greenwood has been handed a start by the Norwegian for today’s clash against Cardiff, meaning that he’s now become the youngest ever player to start a Premier League game for the club. ? Mason Greenwood becomes the youngest player to start a PL game for Man Utd 17 yrs, 223 days – Mason Greenwood 17 yrs, 253 days – Federico Macheda 18 yrs, 21 days – Phil Neville 18 yrs, 99 days – Timothy Fosu-Mensah 18 yrs, 127 days – Marcus Rashford pic.twitter.com/SXej6Lkypw — Sky Sports Statto (@SkySportsStatto) May 12, 2019 The likes of Paul Pogba, Marcus Rashford and Jesse Lingard have also been handed starts by Solskjaer for today’s clash, as the Red Devils look to give their fans something to cheer about heading into the summer break. James Garner and Angel Gomes have been named on the bench by Solskjaer, and we can surely expect to see one of them get a few minutes of game time at least during the match today. The full line-up can be seen below. Any surprises you see in there? Let us know down below.<doc-sep>Sports Mole provides team news, predicted lineups and a full preview of Sunday's Premier League encounter between Manchester United and Cardiff City. Manchester United host Cardiff City in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon looking to end a relatively disappointing campaign having returned to winning ways. Cardiff City make the trip to Old Trafford knowing that they will finish in 18th position, but the Bluebirds supporters will want to return to the Championship having earned a positive result against their former boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Manchester United © Reuters Solskjaer has endured a wide range of emotions since first replacing Jose Mourinho at the end of 2018, and the Norwegian will probably be pleased to see the back of this season. Everyone at the club will be disappointed having finished outside of the top four in the standings, but it could prove to be a blessing in disguise as Solskjaer looks to reshape his squad. Participation in the Champions League would have left Solskjaer potentially throwing his younger players into high-pressure games, but they can now be blooded in in the Europa League and gain regular game-time. That is a likely scenario, with Solskjaer having stressed that he wants to introduce the club's prospects into first-team action, and there will be a youthful look to the side which starts against Cardiff. However, Solskjaer is aware that it is important for United to end their recent dismal form, with just eight points coming from their last eight outings in the Premier League. United were perhaps unfortunate not to see off Huddersfield Town last weekend, but there will be an understanding that failing to beat the division's bottom side was unacceptable given the gulf in class between the teams. Scott McTominay netted United's goal at the John Smith's Stadium, and the Scotland international remains a rare shining light with too many experienced players performing well below their ability. Such is their fall from grace that they may not even be provided with the opportunity of a farewell appearance this weekend, and it would be a sign that Solskjaer is ready to enforce change at the club. Recent form: LWLLDD Recent form (all competitions): WLLLDD Cardiff City © Reuters Cardiff City have experienced small highs and irreparable lows during their first season back in the Premier League, and Neil Warnock will take a huge amount of pride from how his players have dealt with a difficult start to 2019. However, there has been an inevitably about Cardiff's relegation for some time, and that was guaranteed last weekend with a 3-2 defeat at home to Crystal Palace. Warnock has decisions to make regarding his future at the club, while the Bluebirds hierarchy must put together a plan of action to earn an immediate return to the big time. There will be an ambition from both parties to provide their passionate fans with a positive end to the season, and there will unlikely be a better time for the club to gain a rare win at Old Trafford. Cardiff have lost on each of their visits to top-six teams over the course of the season, but the squad have performed better away from home than in Wales's capital over the past few weeks. A 2-0 win over Brighton & Hove Albion was recorded at the Amex Stadium, while Cardiff had more decisions go against them during a narrow 1-0 defeat to Fulham at Craven Cottage. Calls from referees have been a regular topic of debate following many of Cardiff's matches this season, although it would have taken at least two more victories for the club to have retained hope of remaining in the Premier League. A lack of draws for Cardiff has arguably been the telling factor this season, with just four coming from 37 games, although it would not come as a surprise if they produce the performance required to heap further misery on Solskjaer on Sunday. Recent form: LLWLLL Team News © Reuters Tahith Chong is likely to be handed his first Premier League start, while James Garner, Angel Gomes and Mason Greenwood could also be provided with minutes against Cardiff. Antonio Valencia, Ander Herrera and Juan Mata could all make their final appearances for United, but Alexis Sanchez and Romelu Lukaku may not be involved due to ankle and hamstring injuries respectively. Jesse Lingard is back in contention after a knee problem, while Victor Lindelof has shaken off a knock sustained during the closing stages against Huddersfield. Cardiff will be without each of Harry Arter and Victor Camarasa due to injury, and the loanees are likely to have played their last game for the club. Leandro Bacuna should come into the team as a replacement for Camarasa, but the rest of the side could remain the same. Manchester United possible starting lineup: De Gea; Valencia, Lindelof, Smalling, Shaw; Herrera, McTominay; Chong, Pogba, Mata; Rashford Cardiff City possible starting lineup: Etheridge; Peltier, Morrison, Ecuele Manga, Bennett; Gunnarsson, Bacuna; Mendez-Laing, Reid, Murphy; Ward Head To Head Sunday's fixture will represent just the 31st competitive meeting between the clubs, with United registering 15 wins in comparison to seven victories for Cardiff. However, just three of those matches have come since 1975, with United registering two wins and a draw in the last three top-flight fixtures against the Welsh side. United recorded a 5-1 victory over Cardiff in December, just days after Solskjaer had been appointed as the replacement for Mourinho. We say: Manchester United 3-1 Cardiff City United and Solskjaer may be prepared to field some of their younger players, but we still feel that a positive result will be recorded at the Theatre of Dreams. Cardiff are still conceding too many goals, and a fresh-looking home side may relish the opportunity to stake their claim for places ahead of next season.<doc-sep>Get the latest United updates, transfer news and analysis delivered straight to your inbox every day for free Invalid Email Something went wrong, please try again later. Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice A dead rubber of a fixture for United to end their Premier League season awaits them this weekend. Cardiff City are already relegated and have to now focus on regrouping for another season back in the Championship while United cannot make next season's Champions League. The best they can hope for is Arsenal dropping points which would give them a chance to leapfrog the Gunners and finish in fifth to secure a Europa League group stage spot. United have not won in the Premier League for nearly a month and the amazing start the club made under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer seems a long time ago now. However, a win means the club can go into the summer with a win at least, ahead of what will likely be a very busy off season. Which TV channel is Manchester United vs Cardiff on? Manchester United vs Cardiff will not be shown live on British TV as the two 3pm kick offs which are being shown are the Liverpool and City games. Kick-off from Old Trafford is at 3pm. You will be able to follow all the action on our live blog as always. Highlights will be shown later on MOTD. Team news for Manchester United vs Cardiff "I can't comment on every single individual," Solskjaer said. "There are many players, as I've said it before I don't like it when other managers talk about my players and I wouldn't talk about any others even if I was or wasn't interested." Antonio Valencia is one who could make his final Manchester United appearance against Cardiff on Sunday but there is still no clarification over Ander Herrera’s future. Speaking of the future, Solskjaer said: “We know as staff and players that next season we’ve got a great challenge ahead. It’s going to be important that we come together from the very first day. Pre-season is going to be important.” Odds for Manchester United vs Cardiff (Sky Bet) Manchester United - 1/4 Draw - 5/1 Cardiff - 9/1 Marcus Rashford to score first - 10/3 Draw 0-0 - 25/1 Draw and both teams to score - 11/2 Man Utd to win 3-0 - 8/1 Predictions for Manchester United vs Cardiff<doc-sep>Manchester United wrap up another Premier League season against Cardiff City on Sunday. There’s not much to play for this weekend — with both sides resigned to disappointing fates. United lost ground to their domestic rivals and now have Thursday nights in the Europa League to look forward to in 2019/20. For Cardiff, it’s even worse. Relegation. Neil Warnock’s side is headed back to the Championship, a bitter end to a very disheartening season. The Bluebirds shocked the football world in 2018 by winning promotion to the Premier League, but never fully coped with life back in the top flight. And, of course, the tragic loss of Emiliano Sala overshadowed any on-pitch struggle. Cardiff still plays hard for Warnock, but will be missing several key contributors on Sunday. Missing out: Sol Bamba, Matthew Connolly, Joe Ralls, and Callum Peterson. The status of Harry Arter and Victor Camarasa remains up in the air, but there’s little reason to risk them in this dead rubber. “Everybody’s disappointed to suffer a relegation,” said Warnock. “I can’t really be any prouder because the lads put so much effort in.” “We’ve just got to go again. The club’s got to go again and we want to spoil the party at Old Trafford.” Exactly what kind of party Warnock expects at Old Trafford is unclear. No one at Manchester United seems in a particularly festive mood these days. Last weekend’s 1-1 draw at Huddersfield Town — one of the worst teams in Premier League history — eliminated the Reds from Champions League contention and plunged the club ever deeper into crisis. United haven’t won since April 13 (an underwhelming effort against West Ham), putting them at just two victories in the last eleven matches. While Manchester City edge closer to back-to-back Premier League titles and the rest of their rivals prepare for European finals, the Reds seem further from the summit than ever. No club of United’s size and stature belongs in the Europa League. Still, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is looking on the bright side. “You can sometimes use the Europa League as something positive, as Chelsea and Arsenal have done this year, as we did a couple of years ago when we won,” he said. “I am an optimist by nature and I will make the most of it. The kids will get chances to play games, that’s for sure. We’ll have to make something positive out of it, no matter what.” Back in December, United romped to a 5-1 win over Cardiff in Solskjaer’s first match as caretaker manager. Marcus Rashford scored in the third minute and the Reds never looked back. For Ole — and Rashford — that must seem a very long time ago. None of United’s attackers — bar Juan Mata — are scoring at the moment. That opens the door for Mason Greenwood, Tahith Chong, or one of the other academy youngsters to stake a claim for next season. Big changes are ahead at all levels of the club and places should be up for grabs. ManUtd.com spotted several of United’s hottest prospects at first-team training this week. The aforementioned Greenwood and Chong, but also James Garner, Angel Gomes, Dylan Levitt, and Arnau Puigmal. Why not give them some minutes on Sunday? Sure, United could still grab fifth place from Arsenal, but that’s relatively meaningless. The only motivation to avoid sixth is the unlikely outcome of playing a Europa League qualifier in late July. Sunday could be the end for several United regulars. It would be a nice gesture to give Antonio Valencia one final appearance at Old Trafford before he leaves. The longtime Red deserves a send-off from the fans. Another player seemingly on the outs is Anthony Martial. Despite a hot start under Solskjaer, Martial has fallen out of favor and might be off this summer. Unfortunately, his value has surely plummeted this season, after Ed Woodward denied Jose Mourinho’s wish to sell the 23-year-old. Many of Mourinho’s player evals don’t look quite so crazy anymore. Romelu Lukaku missed the Huddersfield draw with a hamstring injury and might be out this weekend, as well. With his future at the club up in the air — both Rom and Ole might want out of this relationship — there’s no reason to risk him on Sunday. If this is the end for Lukaku, it’s a little sad that many will consider him a failure. He’s scored 42 goals for the club in just two years, including setting the record for debut season goals. The Belgian might not be the answer to United’s problems, but he’s done well in a red shirt and deserves better from the support. Manchester United should easily defeat Cardiff on Sunday, but the same could’ve been said for Huddersfield last week. Underwhelming results have become the norm of late. This anticlimactic finish to the Premier League notwithstanding, it should be a big summer for the club. Consider: the future of Paul Pogba and David De Gea, a rumored £200 million transfer budget, maybe even a Director of Football. All of that sounds a lot more exciting than Sunday’s match. Buckle up.<doc-sep>
Mark Lawrenson is backing Manchester United to sign off for the season with a 2-0 win over Cardiff City in the Premier League on Sunday. The Red Devils have endured a disappointing end to the campaign and they have missed out on a top-four finish in the Premier League under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Manchester United have struggled to find consistent form all season and they currently find themselves in sixth place in the table and having won just one of their last five outings in the top flight. With nothing but pride left to play for, the Red Devils will welcome Cardiff City to Old Trafford on Sunday as they look to end the season on a positive note. And former Liverpool FC star Lawrenson is backing the Red Devils to claim a comfortable victory in front of their home fans on Sunday afternoon. Writing in his column for BBC Sport, Lawrenson said: “Manchester United are facing a huge summer in terms of which players stay or leave the club. “It would be a huge job for a seasoned manager, let alone Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who does not have much experience but will stand or fall by what he decides over those ins and outs. “In terms of the game, well, Cardiff will have a bit of a go but United should beat them. “But there is nothing riding on the result – it is what happens next that is important, and the same applies to the Bluebirds. “I think their hopes of making an instant return to the top flight rely on whether Neil Warnock stays on when his contract ends, which is after this game. “Warnock has an outstanding record in the Championship and he does not have to spend fortunes to get his teams up. “If he is still in charge next season, I think they will be very competitive, if he is not, then I would not be too sure about where they will finish.” Manchester United will likely be linked with a host of players this summer as they look to try and revamp their squad ahead of next season. The Red Devils have now ended the second season in a row without winning a trophy, after their Europa League and League Cup triumphs under Jose Mourinho in 2017. MORE: Latest Manchester United news and views MORE: Football transfer rumours and gossip