Manchester United have an unsung hero who deserves more

Man Utd are planning for an anticipated return to action next month and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has big squad selection decisions to make.

If you ask a Manchester United fan to name their player of the season so far, you'll likely get one of three answers; Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Fred or Marcus Rashford.

An ongoing run of nine clean sheets in the last 11 matches might tempt some supporters to back Harry Maguire for his steady impact on the defensive set-up, while others will passionately argue Bruno Fernandes has already shown enough in his short time in England to be worth of the accolade.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer won't mind either way. There is genuine competition for the award this season a year after Luke Shaw admitted he was almost “embarrassed” to receive the award which he said no one deserved.

For the United manager it doesn't matter who wins the award as long as there is competition throughout the squad, but he'll be equally pleased with the performances of those unsung heroes in his first team that aren't getting such plaudits.

Much of the talk around United's return has been about the strength in depth at Solskjaer's disposal, with Paul Pogba and Marcus Rashford both expected to be match fit following long injury lay-offs.

The general consensus is that Pogba will strut straight back into the first team alongside the brilliant Bruno Fernandes. With one spot remaining in the preferred three-man midfield there has been much debate over whether it should be Fred or Scott McTominay who lines up with them. There is a strong argument to suggest it should be Nemanja Matic instead.

Of all the players at the club Matic remains the only senior figure who is a natural in the defensive midfield role, something which is crucial if Solskjaer is to find balance in a midfield with the attacking flair of both Pogba and Fernandes.

It has been a dramatic turnaround for Matic, who had been originally told he would be allowed to leave in January after an underwhelming start to the season which saw him barely used by Solskjaer before an injury lay-off further depleted his playing time.

However, injuries to Pogba and McTominay over the festive period earned Matic a first-team reprieve and his impact has been emphatic ever since.

The Serb was the star player as United battled to a resilient win in the Carabao Cup semi-final second leg away to City in January, while his restricted midfield role also proved crucial in wins over both Chelsea and City prior to football's postponement.

Fernandes has led the way since his arrival as the attacking star who inspired United to their 11-match unbeaten run, but it is Matic who has continuously worked hard in his shadow and given the side structure to accommodate such attacking threat.

When football does return Solskjaer will have a big decision to make over his midfield, and while Matic might not be the most popular inclusion amongst fans, his efforts this calendar year warrant serious recognition.