Manchester United fans at the Tavern are feeling more and more positive as the season continues, despite slipping up against Bournemouth on Saturday in their 1-1 draw.

They have to try and bounce back from this stumble in the most challenging way possible when facing league leaders Chelsea in the FA Cup Quarter Final this weekend.

The main talking point from this game is Jose Mourinho returning to Stamford Bridge to manage against his old club.

A victory would make United favourites to win a trophy that Mourinho won back in 2007, when Chelsea beat his current club, Manchester United.

The other factor in this game is the ban of United’s main threat upfront, Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

With all of that in mind let’s take a look at the STARTING XI Mourinho should play if he is to beat Chelsea…

GK: David de Gea

Despite this being a cup game Mourinho isn’t going to want to rest any of his star players.

It will have to be all or nothing for the Portuguese manager.

To do this he must start David De Gea.

The Spaniard is yet to play in this FA Cup though he had starred in their recent EFL Cup victory and looks set to start in what looks set to be a crucial game for the Red Devils.

The alternate for Jose Mourinho is Sergio Romero, though the Argentine hasn’t featured enough times this season to warrant a place in the starting lineup.

RB: Antonio Valencia

Since the arrival of Jose Mourinho Antonio Valencia has really flourished in the right back role.

The experienced Ecuadorian has registered 4 assists this season for Manchester United and doesn’t look like he’ll slow down any time soon.

The 31 year old, like David De Gea, is yet to make an appearance in the FA Cup this season because Mourinho has other options, for instance Darmain, Fosu-Mensah or the versatile Marcos Rojo.

The issue with Darmain is that the Italian has only played 12 games this season.  Comparing this to Antonio Valencia’s 30 appearances.

Fosu-Mensah is another lacking experience in this United side and would have to cope with the in form Eden Hazard.

Therefore Valencia is the only man for the job here.

CB: Chris Smalling

United fans at the Tavern have been really impressed with the Smalling that they have seen this season.

The centre back is Manchester United’s 3rd captain and has worn the armband for the side this season.

It’s in big games like this that a centre back like Smalling is key.

Smalling will have to cope with Diego Costa’s strength and stop the Spaniard adding to his impressive goal tally.

The English international has also netted twice this season for the Red Devils, one of these being in the FA Cup against Wigan.

So Chris Smalling is always going to be one of the first names on the United team sheet.

CB: Marcos Rojo

A permanent partner to accompany the strength of Chris Smalling has been a challenge to find for Manchester United.

Their options for a suitable centre back seem to be sparse and this has led Mourinho to shift players around to fit into the team.

One such player is Marcos Rojo.

The Argentine has played in all 3 defensive positions during his time at Old Trafford. Despite this he still isn’t a great hit for United fans at the Tavern.

He does provide a steely presence in the back though, some think that a lot of Rojo’s tackles can appear dangerous [except Mourinho], this toughness is needed.

The only other replacement for Rojo is Englishman Phil Jones however he has only recently featured for the Reds.

His appearance against Bournemouth was the first since United’s goalless draw with Hull City last month.

It would therefore appear that Jones hasn’t had enough match experience to feature.

LB: Luke Shaw

Luke Shaw hasn’t exactly lit up Old Trafford with his performances since joining from Southampton, although the Englishman’s time in Manchester has been blighted by major injuries.

Shaw has yet to make a real impact this season however he is a natural left back, unlike his alternatives.

Ashley Young would be the other option for United, although he is used as more of a wing back or midfielder and fans at the Tavern feel that Young wouldn’t be the right man for United in such a big game.

Therefore Shaw would be better in counteracting the likes of Victor Moses or Willian.

CDM: Michael Carrick

Michael Carrick: Manchester’s evergreen.

Carrick, nearing the age of 36, seems to be United’s key this season.

He is unbeaten in all Premier League games this season and has only suffered defeat just once, in the EFL Cup semi final to Hull City.

Carrick’s presence in United’s squad is an important one.

With Rooney being in and out of the starting XI this season Carrick has carried the armband a lot, showing his experience.

His experience could counteract the pace and stamina of N’Golo Kante.

The United fans at the Tavern consider Carrick a huge asset and were pleased he was awarded a testimonial.

CDM: Paul Pogba

United fans at the Tavern feel that Pogba hasn’t quite justified his world record price tag since his move from Juventus in the summer.

Though he has shown his worth a multitude of times this season, the Frenchman’s tally being 6 goals and 4 assists so far this season.

One of those assists came in the last round of the FA Cup against Blackburn Rovers.

The landlord at the Tavern thinks that Pogba could easily add to this impressive tally.

The other option for this role would be Ander Herrera.

The Spaniard is less defensively minded however and doesn’t provide as much height and strength when it comes to defending corners.

Fellaini is another possibility however his passing isn’t quite as feared as Pogba’s is and some United fans at the Tavern don’t feel the Belgian deserves a place in the squad.

Pogba is definitely the man for the job this weekend.

RM: Henrikh Mkhitaryan

When the Armenian signed for United from Borussia Dortmund last summer much was to be expected.

Mkhitaryan registered a league high 15 assists.

However his start to Manchester United was tough.

Due to injury and lack of consistency the former Dortmund star failed to turn out for the Red Devils between early September to November.

Since his return he has been a different man and has set Old Trafford alight with his performances.

He has popped up to score 5 times this season.

Two of these goals proved decisive against Tottenham and Saint-Etienne.

The Armenian international also has 5 assists, so he is yet to reach the lofty heights from his Bundesliga days but it’s a start.

The landlord at the Tavern feels that things can only get better for United with the quick footed Armenian.

CAM: Juan Mata

Despite Jose Mourinho being out of favour with Mata when the Spaniard was at Chelsea this doesn’t appear to be the case at Manchester United.

In fact he appears to have flourished in Mourinho’s team, scoring 9 goals so far this season.

If he scores against Chelsea this would prove a big statement, by netting against his old club.

It would show Mourinho that he means business.

The United faithful already think that Mata does have the right stuff and would be able to score in this crucial game.

United will hope that Mata’s skill and determination will be enough to push past the likes of David Luiz and Gary Cahill, a defence that is scarcely beaten.

LM: Anthony Martial

It’s fair to say that this season has not been as great a campaign for the Frenchman than his last.

In his inaugural season in England, Martial struck 11 goals including his strike against Liverpool on his debut.

This season has been a different story.

Perhaps participating in the recent Euros took its toll on the Frenchman, after they crashed out to Portugal.

It could, maybe, be Mourinho’s style of play that is affecting Martial in that it is too different to the style of Van Gaal.

Either way Martial is just not the same as he was.

However, Martial’s pace could be a major asset to Manchester United and the Frenchman has still scored 3 times and assisted 4 times this season.

ST: Marcus Rashford

This would appear to be a controversial decision however Rashford would be the perfect candidate to start up top for United in this cup clash.

So far this season Rashford has been deployed as a winger which left many United fans at the Tavern contemplating his position in Mourinho’s squad.

Despite this he has still scored 3 Premier League goals this season, just 2 less than his breakthrough season.

With Ibrahimovic out after accepting the FA Charge of violent misconduct this would be a great opportunity for Rashford to step-up to the plate.

Rashford would be disappointed to miss this clash after his goal sent Manchester United through to the quarter finals, beating Blackburn Rovers.

Rooney is in contention to play however he is being used less and less as a striker.

The ex-Everton man lacks the pace that Rashford has and this wouldn’t be beneficial on the counterattack.

So Rashford should be given a chance up front and this game would be the perfect setting for the English starlet to make a breakthrough for Mourinho.

What do you think United fans? Would this team be able to topple Chelsea at Stamford Bridge? Let us know below!