Our Manchester United fans here in the Transfer Tavern are hoping to progress into their second FA Cup final in three years at the weekend against Tottenham Hotspur. With that in mind, Jose Mourinho should surely be thinking of rotating his team in order to field a strong and refreshed side come the big match.
The Red Devils in the bar will be hoping to mount an FA Cup charge in a bid to bring some silverware to Old Trafford again this season, as the Premier League has been long out of reach and they haven’t fared well in Europe.
United last won the cup under former boss Louis van Gaal, in his last match at the club and, with Jose Mourinho needing to get back to winning ways, he’ll be hoping for a similar performance that saw his Red Devils pick up the three points a couple of weeks back in their second-half display at the Etihad tonight at Bournemouth.
With the important match ahead, especially as it is Mourinho’s only chance of a trophy – he could use this opportunity to rotate the squad and bring in some fringe or out of form players to impress the boss ahead of next season.
Our landlord takes a look at TWO stars that should be saved for the weekend…
Antonio Valencia
The ever-present right-back has been a revelation since switching from winger to full-back. He is regarded as one of the best players in that position in the league so far this season and has become vital to the way Mourinho sets up his teams. With not much competition for his place, Valencia has barely been rested this campaign.
Mourinho should take the opportunity tonight to do so, in a bid for the Ecuadorian to be fresh and fighting fit for the pace and youthfulness of Pochettino’s Spurs at the weekend.
Romelu Lukaku
United’s star striker has gone from strength to strength since his move to Old Trafford, despite some of the criticism levelled at him along the way. Mourinho however, should look to tonight as a match to play Rashford upfront or play about with the front three, while the Belgian rests.
Lukaku is key if United are to bring the FA Cup home in May for the second time in recent years, that much is for sure. With this in his mind plus an embarrassing array of attacking riches to choose from, Mourinho would be silly not to play about ahead of the tie.
