It’s been a fantastic couple of weeks for Manchester United and Jose Mourinho, who have progressed to the Europa League last-four and strengthened their reach on one of the coveted Champions League places.

Our pub was full this weekend as the United fans packed in to watch their side beat a Burnley side that has done well this season, 2-0 at Turf Moor.

But next up for the Red Devils is a seriously big cross-city game against their bitter rivals Manchester City, who will be battling them for one of those Champions League spots.

Our Red Devils-mad barman has tipped this game as one of the biggest this season and it’s a must win for United if they want to ensure they’ll be playing with the elite in Europe again next season.

And after a quick chat with some of the fans here in the bar, we’ve worked out the team that will bring United success.

So with that in mind, here’s the United XI Mourinho needs to field to brush City aside on Thursday…

GK: David de Gea

David De Gea is back in the United first-team after a brief falling out with Jose Mourinho and he’s playing well again as United hunt down a top-four place.

He’ll be in between the sticks for the rest of the season if injuries stay away and will be looking to impress.

RB: Matteo Darmian

Matteo Darmian’s long-term United future is still in doubt but the Italian has a big role to play in the Reds first-team from now until the end of the season.

He’s pretty good offensively and has done a decent job defensively in recent weeks too.

CB: Eric Bailly

Eric Bailly has been thrown into the United first-team this season following injuries to the likes of Phil Jones and Chris Smalling and he’s seriously impressed too.

The Ivoraian has stepped up when it’s mattered and he looks like a real future star if he keeps this form up.

CB: Daley Blind

Daley Blind won’t be challenging for a first-team spot next season if Mourinho has his way with summer additions but for now, the Dutchman needs to be in the first-team with United low on the ground with players.

He’ll be up against a decent City forward line and will have to be at his best throughout.

LB: Ashley Young

Ashley Young has come back into the United side over the past couple of months and has done really well under Jose Mourinho.

The former England international has been a pacy option down the wing and captained his side to the win over Chelsea, suggesting his long-term future at Old Trafford might be lengthier than some expected.

CM: Ander Herrera

Ander Herrera has been doing a superb job in the United first-team this season and has shown how good he can really be.

He’s picked up his first international caps this season and has consistently been at the forefront of all the good things the Red Devils have done this season.

CM: Marouane Fellaini

Marouane Fellaini is the sort of player who does a job in the United first-team and there’s plenty of United fans that have given the Belgian another chance this campaign.

He’s defensively apt and gets about everything in the middle-of-the-park and will have a big role to play breaking up the City play on Thursday too.

CM: Paul Pogba

It’s been an on-and-off campaign for Paul Pogba at United and he’s been a little inconsistent following his summer move from Juventus.

There’s still more to come from the Frenchman without a shadow of a doubt but he’ll be looking to put in a seriously good shift against City this week.

LW: Anthony Martial

Performed seriously well against Burnley this weekend and there’s absolutely no doubting Anthony Martial deserves to remain in the side for the game against City.

He offered pace, directness and real forward-thinking against the Clarets and the United fans lining the bar here in the pub are delighted to see him playing well once again.

ST: Wayne Rooney

Again, like Martial, Rooney was back in the first-team for the game against Burnley and got himself on the scoresheet too.

There’s been rumour after rumour linking him with a move away from Old Trafford this summer but he’s still doing well when given the opportunity. United fans should stick with him.