It’s fair to say Jose Mourinho believes Manchester United have bigger fish to fry than Southampton in terms of matches remaining in the Red Devils’ season.

The Old Trafford outfit are looking ahead to the Europa League final in what would ensure Champions League football for the club next season should they lift their third trophy of the season. The second of which was lifted after they beat Wednesday’s opponents, Southampton, 3-2 at Wembley in February to secure the EFL Cup. Zlatan Ibrahimovic was the hero in that game but an ACL tear means that Mourinho will have to find another hero for this one.

That hero probably won’t be a United regular either with the United boss more than likely to play an experimental XI against the Saints in order to rest his players for the Europa League final. Of course, this means a new hero could be born at St Mary’s on Wednesday but also leaves the Red Devils vulnerable to a third defeat in a row and no win in their last five Premier League games.

The potential XI that Mourinho has really sparked debate among the United fans in the Tavern and our landlord really has put some thought into what XI could take the field for the Red Devils in this one.

Here is the XI he has come up with…

GK: David de Gea

With Sergio Romero the Europa League goalkeeper of Mourinho’s choice, it is expected de Gea will see out the remaining two Premier League games of United’s season.

After that, he can then look forward to yet another summer full of speculation that he is on his way to Real Madrid, a rumour that will surely become true in the future.

RB: Matteo Darmian

Rested against Spurs – our landlord expects Darmian to line up at right-back in this one, although he has been utilised all across United’s defence this season.

Jose Mourinho will be hoping the Italian comes through the game unscathed, especially with injury doubts looming over Antonio Valencia’s Europa League final hopes.

CB: Eric Bailly

A red card in United’s second leg against Celta Vigo more or less consigned Bailly into appearing in all United’s remaining fixtures due to his suspension for the Europa League final.

The former Villareal man will be looking to end his first season in English football strongly, that is for sure.

CB: Axel Tuanzebe

Deployed at right-back against Arsenal and in the middle of midfield against Spurs, Tuanzebe may find himself in the centre of United’s defence as Mourinho looks to wrap Chris Smalling, Phil Jones and Daley Blind in cotton wool before the Europa League final next week.

Tuanzebe was very impressive against Alexis Sanchez and Arsenal a couple of weeks ago and many United fans in the Tavern believe he has what it takes to succeed in the Premier League.

LB: Demetri Mitchell

Rated by United U23 boss, Warren Joyce – Mitchell has either played at left back or left wing back for Joyce’s side this season and could make the transition in to the first team for Wednesday’s game at St Mary’s.

Normally a winger, Mitchell has adjusted to a more defensive role so well that the twenty-year-old is one of three young players nominated for the United U23 Player of the Year.

CM: Ander Herrera

Herrera came off the bench on Sunday against Spurs so our landlord expects him to start here, especially with veteran Michael Carrick playing ninety minutes in the same fixture.

The Spaniard’s work rate has really been admired by our resident United punters in the Tavern with many comparing him to Chelsea’s N’Golo Kante.

CM: Marouane Fellaini

The big Belgium is back from suspension and will potentially play his last league game of the season against Southampton before Mourinho rests him for the Europa League final.

Scorer of a vital goal against Celta Vigo last week, Fellaini has really changed the mind of United fans in the Tavern who previously lambasted the signing of the former Everton fans but the tables have no turned and they now regard him as a valuable member of their squad.

CM: Scott McTominay

The 20-year-old is a promising box-to-box midfielder and was given his first team debut against Arsenal a couple of weeks ago.

McTominay is another graduate of United’s impressive youth system and labels the journey of Jesse Lingard and Marcus Rashford as his inspiration to make it at Old Trafford.

RM: Juan Mata

The Spaniard always gives 100% to the cause and he will be looking to make the difference when Wednesday night comes around.

A true professional and one of the more popular members in the Red Devils’ squad, our resident United fans really appreciate Mata giving everything for their club.

ST: Wayne Rooney

The England captain will be another chance to lead the United line against Southampton on Wednesday.

No one will be more frustrated about the club’s recent Premier League form than Rooney and there is no doubt he will be doing everything to fix that in what could be the final few games of his United career.