The Manchester United fans here in the Transfer Tavern are hoping for another three points away at Newcastle United today.
After picking up a convincing win against Huddersfield last time out, the Red Devils will be hoping for more of the same today. Even with the Premier League out of sight, the aim is to finish second and have their highest position since Sir Alex Ferguson retired.
It will be a huge improvement from the past few years of finishing in and around 5th in the table as Jose Mourinho looks to restore former glories at Old Trafford in the long-term.
However, many of our regulars in the pub yesterday were chatting amongst themselves as to who should be in the starting line come matchday. Mourinho needs to keep up the pressure and momentum to go into next season with a good start, and seeing as the teams behind him are all faltering somewhat, it makes good sense to put some distance between them.
Having said that, our landlord takes a look at TWO players Mourinho shouldn’t be contemplating to start…
Chris Smalling
The England man is very much a player who can either have a blinder or be apart of a defensive disaster. Phil Jones is often preferred by Jose Mourinho to Smalling and for many of the United fans here in the bar, it’s a lesser of two evils this season. Though he’s improved since the Louis van Gaal days, Smalling is yet to hit a consistent stride this season.
Many are longing for the return of Eric Bailly and a partnership with fan favourite Marcus Rojo is the preferred partnership amongst many of our resident Red Devils.
Ashley Young
Ashley Young has been far from a flop this season, playing in an unfamiliar role as a left wing-back as such. However, the recent form of Luke Shaw is something that Mourinho can’t ignore, and dropping the former Southampton player would throw the wrong signals out to a player who can boss the left-hand side of the Old Trafford pitch for many years to come.
Sadly for Young, Shaw seems to be getting himself together ahead of the World Cup in just a few months time.
