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France team news: Predicted France line up vs Netherlands – Man Utd duo among four injured
FRANCE manager Didier Deschamps will be without four first-team stars for the World Cup winners' Nations League clash with the Netherlands in Rotterdam on Friday (7.45pm).
France can secure their spot in the next round of the Nations League with victory over the Netherlands at De Kuip.
However, Les Bleus will be without a number of star players including Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba for the League A, Group 1 clash.
The 25-year-old was ruled out of the Manchester derby at the weekend after picking up a thigh injury against Juventus and subsequently withdrew from international duty.
Pogba has been joined by fellow Red Devils ace Anthony Martial on the treatment table, with the winger having suffered an abductor problem.
Roma’s Steven N’Zonzi is likely to be the main beneficiary of Pogba’s absence, lining up alongside N’Golo Kante.
Meanwhile, Martial is expected to be replaced by Blaise Matuidi in France’s attacking trio behind lone frontman Olivier Giroud.
Didier Deschamps is also without Alexandre Lacazette and Benjamin Mendy after the duo also withdrew from the squad to face the Netherlands and Uruguay.
Lacazette has a slight groin strain and Mendy has undergone surgery on his knee, while Lucas Hernandez and Samuel Umtiti are also unavailable.
Lucas Digne is most likely to start at left-back while Ferland Mendy and Alassane Plea will hope to earn their first international caps this week after being called up as cover.
Raphael Varane has also been included in the squad despite missing Real Madrid’s last four matches but is not expected to start.
Hugo Lloris should retain his spot in goal despite indifferent form so far this season, while the recalled Adil Rami is expected to partner Presnel Kimpembe in central defence.
Antoine Griezmann and Kylian Mbappe are likely to start against the Dutch but will hope to avoid playing the full 90 minutes after a busy run of fixtures.
France predicted line-up vs Netherlands
(4-2-3-1) Lloris; Pavard, Rami, Kimpembe, Digne; Kante, N'zonzi; Mbappe, Griezmann, Matuidi; Giroud