Wow! The fixtures just seem to be piling up for Manchester United in these final weeks of the season.
There doesn’t seem to have been a press conference where United boss, Jose Mourinho, hasn’t discussed the schedule for the Red Devils and the games get no easier as his team travel to Arsenal, in what looks to be a vital game in the context of who will finish in the top four.
Injuries have not helped United’s cause and many of the Red Devils in the Transfer Tavern are upset as they don’t believe they will see Zlatan Ibrahimovic in a Manchester United shirt again, following the Swede’s ACL tear, meaning he will probably be out until the New Year.
Ibra has been United’s main goal threat this season with 17 goals this season, but now the mantel has been passed over to Marcus Rashford and everyone knows what the young Englishman is capable off.
As aforementioned, the Red Devils travel to the Emirates Stadium this weekend to take on Arsenal and though United deserved to win the reverse fixture at Old Trafford, a 89th minute equaliser from the head of Olivier Giroud saw the game finish 1-1.
United will be looking to better that result this time out and secure all three points in this one, whilst thinking about this our landlord has outlined the XI he believes Mourinho should play in order to pick up the victory.
Let’s take a look at it here…
GK: David de Gea
The Spaniard found himself as the only United player in the PFA team of the year after another outstanding season for United.
Our resident Red Devils would have no one else protecting their goal at present with many he is better than the greats they’ve seen previous such as Schmeichel and van der Sar.
RB: Antonio Valencia
An outstanding full back, Valencia has been brilliant for United this season and will look to continue his form in a big fixture for his side’s season.
Our landlord still cannot believe that the winger from Wigan Athletic has been converted into a top class full back at United gradually over the years.
CB: Chris Smalling
With Mourinho openly criticising Smalling’s recovery from injury, could a strong performance here bring redemption for the England international.
Our landlord feels Smalling’s return will be a boost to a United side that has seemingly been running out of defenders in previous weeks.
CB: Eric Bailly
After limping off in last weekend’s fixture against Swansea City, Bailly has made a swift return from injury and is contention for Sunday’s game at the Emirates.
This will be yet another boost for United as they look to secure a top four place with victory in this one.
LB: Daley Blind
Employed at centre back of late, could the naturally left sided Blind find himself at left back in this fixture?
The Dutchman will surely be up against impressive Arsenal star, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in a battle which will be certainly worth watching when Sunday comes round.
CM: Paul Pogba
Our landlord has felt that Pogba has been unfairly criticised this season and believes the Frenchman can be fairly happy with his first season back at Old Trafford.
With his best certainly to come, Red Devils in the Tavern can look forward to seeing their man run things at United for years to come.
CM: Ander Herrera
Herrera’s work rate is certainly an impressive aspect of his game and he has won the hearts of many United fans in the Transfer Tavern this season.
He will look to dominate a fragile Arsenal midfield when Sunday comes around and our landlord expects to see one or two big challenges from the former Athletic Bilbao man.
RM: Henrikh Mkhitaryan
A real talent, Mkhitaryan’s vision and ability will cause the three man defence of Arsenal all sorts of trouble when Sunday comes around.
Whilst the former Dortmund man has been more effective in Europe this season, a big game surely will bring the best from Mkhitaryan who will look to finish his first season in England strongly.
CAM: Wayne Rooney
The United captain knows the clubs rivalry with Arsenal like no other and even before he was a Manchester United player, Rooney was a thorn in Arsenal’s side.
A win on Sunday will mean a lot to Rooney and our landlord believes it is worth Mourinho playing him purely for the determination he has to get one over Arsene Wenger’s side.
LM: Anthony Martial
With Arsenal employing wingbacks, our landlord believes Martial will be used to expose the space out wide for United’s wingers due to his pace.
The Frenchman has impressed United fans in the Tavern of late and has responded well from criticism from Mourinho earlier on last month.
ST: Marcus Rashford
Around fourteen months ago, Rashford burst on to the scene with a double against Arsenal at Old Trafford and the mood in the Tavern that day was that United had found a special talent.
THe Englishman has no doubt improved this year, however Arsenal will be more aware of the threat he possess one year on from when he exposed their defence.
