It really has been a roller-coaster season for our Manchester United fans in the Transfer Tavern as their latest cup defeat to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge provided the latest twist in their 2016/17 tale.
Jose Mourinho was not a happy man following the final whistle and all attention will now turn to finishing in the top four in the Premier League to guarantee their Champions League status for next season.
Our landlord is never amazed by what two weeks can do in football and to see Mourinho as unhappy after Monday night’s result was a stark contrast to his mood two weeks ago where we saw his side victorious in the EFL cup final.
In those two weeks, United have managed to lose the services of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Ander Hererra to suspension as well as Wayne Rooney and Anthony Martial to injury, although they are expected to be fit come the weekend.
United will visit Middlesbrough this weekend and incidentally, it was Martial who started the turnaround last time these two sides met earlier in the season. Boro had initially led through a Grant Leadbitter strike but 2 goals in 2 minutes from Martial and Paul Pogba saw the Red Devils complete a grandstand finish to win the game, 2-1.
Our landlord pointed out that United showed heart that day and the team that Mourinho picks will have to show the same heart to beat a Boro side fighting for their lives at the foot of the table, so here is the XI he believes will do the job for United…
GK: David De Gea
There are no words to sum up the importance of De Gea to Manchester United.
Simply irreplaceable.
RB: Antonio Valencia
The Ecuadorian has been very consistent for Mourinho this season and our landlord believes he is up there with United’s best players currently.
CB: Phil Jones
Jones has been impressive this season and has proved all his doubters wrong with some very good displays at the back.
CB: Chris Smalling
Smalling seems to have got his place back in the side after injury and he’ll be keen to prove to Mourinho he is United’s best defender.
LB: Luke Shaw
Though Shaw’s United career seems to be up in the air following his omission from the squad for the FA Cup tie with Chelsea, our landlord expects him to start this one.
CDM: Michael Carrick
United fans in the Tavern will look to see Carrick using all his know how in order to control the game at the Riverside.
CDM: Paul Pogba
Scorer of the winner last time these two met, United fans will be looking for a similar performance from Pogba to revitalise his season.
RAM: Henrikh Mkhitaryan
The Armenian recently returned to United squad following a hamstring injury and will look to add that creative spark that United have missed in their last two fixtures.
CAM: Juan Mata
Our landlord expects to see Mata restored to his favourite position of CAM in order for Mourinho to get the best out of the Spaniard.
LAM: Ashley Young
With United short going forward, Young could play once again here. He did well against Chelsea and so a return to Premier League duties could be on the cards.
ST: Marcus Rashford
With Zlatan Ibrahimovic suspended for another two fixtures, this is the chance Rashford will be keen to take following a season of playing second fiddle to the charismatic Swede.
