The Manchester United supporting punters here in the Football Transfer Tavern really aren’t sure what to make of the season they are having so far.
It has certainly been a topsy-turvy campaign for the Red Devils with the club failing to really maintain any sort of consistency.
Jose Mourinho’s men travel to southern Ukraine to face FC Zorya Luhansk for the first time, knowing a solitary point will secure qualification from the group.
It has definitely not been an easy ride for the Manchester giants in this European competition, having lost to Feyenoord and Fenerbahce already in the group stage.
Our landlord here in the Transfer Tavern thinks that anything other than three points against Zorya would be a disaster, and thinks that Mourinho’s job would be under serious scrutiny if they fail to notch a win in Ukraine on Thursday evening.
The landlord has decided to compile the XI that Mourinho should select to crush Zorya on Thursday…..
GK: David De Gea
Who else?
The Spaniard has been keeping Manchester United in matches all throughout the season, and is arguably one of the club’s most key stars.
De Gea is a certain starter in between the sticks for the clash against Zorya.
RB: Antonio Valencia
The rapid defender very rarely finds himself caught out of position and when he does he usually recovers.
United are pretty short in this area at the moment, too, so expect him to get yet another game under his belt.
CB: Phil Jones
Jones is doing his best to make this stint in the team count in the light of injuries to United’s other defenders.
He’s been pretty solid this year, it has to be said, and will be looking for another controlled performance in the Ukraine.
CB: Marcos Rojo
Eric Bailly is back in training and so this could be one of the very last times the Argentine gets to impress.
He’s been hot and cold so far this season and will be looking to be the former in a stadium that’s set to be like a fridge-freezer on Thursday.
LB: Daley Blind
Somewhat bafflingly to our landlord Matteo Darmian has got the nod of Blind for the Premier League recently so the Dutchman should start in this Europa League game.
As solid as they come he shouldn’t put a foot wrong.
CM – Ander Hererra
Ander Herrera has begun to flourish under Mourinho this season, and you would expect his run of games to continue in the Europa League.
He will need to be aware defensively, but this game should offer him a chance to get forward more often.
CM – Paul Pogba
Paul Pogba has performed far better in Europe than he has in the Premier League – and he should look to continue that on Thursday.
He quickly needs to get some consistency in his game, and this clash represents a perfect opportunity to begin that process.
LW – Ashley Young
United simply cannot afford any injuries to the likes of Henrikh Mkhitaryan or Anthony Martial (despite his recent slump), so Ashley Young should be given a chance by Mourinho.
Has a point to prove ahead of the January transfer window.
CAM – Wayne Rooney
Wayne Rooney has seen his game time diminish as the season has gone on, but the Europa League offers Mourinho an opportunity to rotate – and Rooney will likely come in as a result.
The Englishman needs to put in a good performance to have any chance of regaining his place, especially with the likes of Juan Mata and Henrikh Mkhitaryan breathing down his neck.
RW – Jesse Lingard
Graft and guile in equal measure, the England international should take over from Henrikh Mkhitaryan in this berth, to give the Armenian a rest.
Works well with the man in the next slide and his exuberance up and down right could be crucial for the Red Devils.
ST – Marcus Rashford
Falling behind Zlatan Ibrahimovic in the pecking order, Marcus Rashford is going through somewhat of a struggle right now, having not scored since September.
Still, the England international should he afforded a start to give the Swede a rest, as well as the 18-year-old a chance to regain his confidence.
