The Manchester United fans in the Transfer Tavern are excitedly dicsussing how far they think their team can go in this year’s Champions League.

The UEFA Champions League is returning to our TV screens next week with England having five teams to represent the nation in this year’s competition.

One of those teams is Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United who are returning to the competition following their Europa League victory last season.

The Red Devils have gotten off to a flying start in the league this season with three victories in the first three games, having conceded no goals in the process.

United have already played some European football this season as they faced Real Madrid in a losing effort in the European Supercup.

Since that loss, they have looked like a very strong side and will be expected to beat Basel next Tuesday and quite comfortably too.

With that being said, here is the starting XI that Jose Mourinho should field for United’s UCL return.

David De Gea

David De Gea is the best goalkeeper in the world in our landlord’s opinion.

A shadow of his former self from his early Manchester United days, De Gea is a must for this United starting XI.

Given the opposition, Jose Mourinho can probably afford to rest a few first teamers but the Spanish shot stopper needs to stay

Antonio Valencia

A player reborn ever since Mourinho started utilising him as a right wing-back.

Antonio Valencia tends to wear the armband in the absence of Michael Carrick and his experience in some great United sides of the past makes him a fantastic leader on the pitch.

Victor Lindelof

Victor Lindelof hasn’t featured for United ever since his debut in the European Supercup.

Mourinho doesn’t think the young defender is ready but with Phil Jones suspended and the veteran boss likely to want to rest a few faces this game could be Lindelof’s chance to shine.

Nicknamed ‘the Iceman’ by Benfica fans, Lindelof should be given the chance to show his cool and collected nature in his Champions League debut for the club.

Chris Smalling

Chris Smalling was heavily linked with a move away from United this summer but seeing as that move never came, Mourinho should utilise his defensive depth by including him in this game.

Yet to make a Premier League appearance this season, Smalling can still do a decent job to help United over the line on their return to Europe’s greatest competition.

Daley Blind

Daley Blind has played every minute of every Premier League game so far this season for United.

The 27-year-old has been looking good so far this season and is one of the only first team players that our landlord thinks Mourinho should keep in the side for this game

Marouane Fellaini

Another player who was linked with a move away from United this summer, Marouane Fellaini was deemed too important to sell by Mourinho.

Whilst our landlord wouldn’t be expecting the big Belgian to feature too much in the starting XI this season in any competition, except for the Carabao Cup, but he should be used next Tuesday.

Providing a different role to what Nemanja Matic would, his height and strength in the air can provide a basis for United to build attacks from.

Ander Herrera

Ever since Ander Herrera signed for United back in 2014, he has become one of their best and most important players.

His performances have been limited this season thanks to the work of Paul Pogba and Matic so he will be keen to put in a big performance should Mourinho give him the nod next week.

Paul Pogba

The man who seemingly couldn’t stop hitting the woodwork last season, Paul Pogba has had an excellent start to the 2017/18 campaign.

Our landlord reckons putting Pogba in behind the striker as an advanced playmaker would work very well against Basel.

If he does get played there, expect the Frenchman to grab a goal on in his return to the Champions League

Jesse Lingard

The man who scored the winner in the FA Cup final a few seasons ago, Jesse Lingard hasn’t completed a full 90 minutes for United this season but can still put a good shift in against Basel.

He’s definitely going to be used as a backup this season with players like Juan Mata and Anthony Martial ahead of him in the pecking order so this could be a good chance for the 24-year-old to prove himself.

Anthony Martial

Anthony Martial has had a flying start to the 2017/18 season.

The Frenchman has scored twice and contributed one assist in three league games with United’s 2-0 win over Leicester the only game he didn’t contribute a goal in.

This looks set to be the 21-year-old’s true breakout year and that should both scare Basel fans and seriously excite United fans.

Romelu Lukaku

Three goals in three league games and the scorer of United’s goal in their Supercup final loss to Real Madrid, Romelu Lukaku can’t stop scoring.

The Belgian striker is so far proving to be an excellent addition to the United squad and is probably drooling at the thought of getting to play in the Champions League at a stage further than the qualifiers.

What do you think Man U fans? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below!