The Manchester United supporting punters here inside the Football Transfer Tavern are looking ahead to another dose of European action, as the Red Devils face off against Russian outfit FC Rostov on Thursday.
Mourinho’s side enter the last 16 of the Europa League having comfortably dispatched Ligue 1 side St Etienne in the last round, 4-0 on aggregate – and the punters here in the Tavern have high hopes for Man United in this competition.
The Red Devils fans over by the jukebox here in the pub are confident of a victory against the Russian side, and can envisage Mourinho putting out a very strong side against them to ensure the win.
Our landlord enjoys debates with the United faithful here in the Tavern on a daily basis, and today’s topic of debate is about the starting XI that Mourinho should field, to cause serious damage to Rostov on Thursday.
With Shaw, Rooney, Schweinsteiger and Bailly not with the squad for the match on Thursday, there certainly is much to ponder and think about.
So, our landlord has compiled an XI that he feels will undoubtedly cause major damage to the Russian side in the Europa League on Thursday..
GK: Sergio Romero
Mourinho has stuck consistently with Romero during this season’s European campaign, and we expect to see him start this clash with Rostov.
The 30-year-old is very reliable and often produces a number of important saves that keep the Red Devils in matches.
The Argentinian is sure to start this game against the Russian outfit.
RB – Antonio Valencia
Often preferred on the right-hand side of the defence, the experienced Antonio Valencia has impressed the Man Utd fans in the Transfer Tavern this season.
Offering dynamic attacking and solid defending, the midfielder-cum-defender is a solid option on the right-hand side for Mourinho.
He won’t be a long-term option, but he is solid for the moment.
CB – Phil Jones
Has there been more of a surprise package this season than Phil Jones?
Rarely a feature under previous managers, his Man Utd career looked close to over.
However, this season he has turned into a star – with his defensive ability a key component of Man Utd’s defence.
CB – Marcos Rojo
Marcos Rojo is another player that has been really solid this season.
Widely touted as a disappointing signing, he has found a new lease on life under Mourinho.
A solid central defensive pairing.
LB – Daley Blind
With Luke Shaw left out of the squad to face the Russian side, Daley Blind will likely come in.
He hasn’t exactly been a revelation this season, but he has been solid under Mourinho.
CDM – MAROUANE FELLAINI
Considering the attritional aspects of Russian football, Mourinho may opt for Marouane Fellaini at the base of midfield.
The Belgium international has been used sparingly this season but he’s almost purpose-built for tough weather conditions away from home, where the pitch may be too frosty to play on the deck.
Furthermore, with an FA Cup tie against Chelsea just around the corner, it makes sense for Mourinho to rotate his options slightly – sparing Michael Carrick’s legs for the weekend.
CDM – Ander Herrera
Whilst Mourinho can afford to rest Carrick for this one, Ander Herrera has become vital to United’s engine room.
The Spaniard is the perfect balancing act between defence and attack, playing a predominant role in keeping possession but also working tenaciously to win the ball back.
Like Carrick, Fellaini isn’t the most mobile of midfielders – so Herrera’s relentless energy should be the perfect antidote alongside him.
CAM – Paul Pogba
Paul Pogba’s struggled to convince in deep-lying roles since returning to Old Trafford but he’s forged a fantastic partnership with Zlatan Ibrahimovic and produced good output this season with seven goals and five assists across all competitions.
Operating just in front of Herrera and Fellaini should give him a little more license to roam and join the attack. United fans will be keen to see a little more from the world-record signing, but the latter stages of the Europa League could be his time to shine.
RAM – Jesse Lingard
Lingard loves playing in the key fixtures of a tournament and so our landlord expects him to be given the nod.
A goal in the EFL Cup final last month just highlighted how he takes games like this by the horns and our landlord reckons he’ll be given the gig over Marcus Rashford – no mean feat.
LAM – Anthony Martial
Martial has much to prove after this season’s inconsistent form but if he can help United to a final in Europe this campaign it will largely be forgotten.
We haven’t seen him perform in the big games this year and so a big performance will be expected of him from the Red Devils faithful.
ST- Zlatan Ibrahimovic
In games like this you need your big stars to put you in good stead for the second leg.
Ibrahimovic has been the main man for United this season and despite Rostov carrying a decent reputation and an element of the unknown, he should be relishing the battle.
Expect goals from the big Swede.
