Manchester United enter tonight’s Europa League quarter final second leg at Old Trafford against Anderlecht in a very strong position, and the Red Devils punters here in the Transfer Tavern are feeling optimistic.

Despite conceding a late equaliser in Belgium last week, United hold the upper hand with an away goal and home advantage in the reverse fixture.

Jose Mourinho will expect his side to dominate proceedings in Manchester this evening, and his midfield selection will determine how effectively United control the game.

After a masterclass at the weekend against league leaders Chelsea, the Portuguese manager may consider resting some of his star middle men ahead of Sunday’s must win game at Burnley.

United will be on a high from the weekend, which was by far the club’s best performance of the season.

Mourinho will look to press home the advantage they hold tonight, and continue the feel good factor surrounding the club.

Just like Burnley at the weekend, this is a game in which the Red Devils cannot afford any slip-ups.

This is knock out football, and Mourinho won’t rest on his laurels.

Our landlord here in the Tavern thinks this should be the Man Utd midfield that takes to the field at the Theatre of Dreams tonight….

Ander Herrera

Herrera was fantastic against Chelsea.

The former Bilbao man marked the dangerous Eden Hazard out of the game, and rumours are rife that the Belgian has only just escaped Herrera’s back pocket.

Herrera has the ability to control games, and United will need a cool head in the middle this evening against their Belgian visitors.

Working across the back four, Herrera can keep Anderlecht’s front men under wraps, and act as the springboard for dangerous United counter attacks. Anderlecht have to score at Old Trafford tonight, and will throw men forward in an attempt to find that prized strike.

If Herrera can continue his fine form, then the visitors will struggle to create chances.

Paul Pogba

Pogba will undoubtedly be one of the first names on Jose Mourinho’s team sheet.

The world record signing has been criticised at times this season for his performances, but a European fixture under the lights at Old Trafford will see the midfielder excel.

With Herrera patrolling the middle, Pogba will be given the freedom to push forward, and his creative instincts will tear the Belgian side apart.

Pogba’s ability on the ball will be a class above tonight’s opponents, and the Frenchman should be central to United’s play this evening.

Marouane Fellaini

Fellaini had a decent game on Sunday, and the Belgian midfielder will look to shine against the side from his home nation.

Fellaini has been something of a scapegoat at United in recent times, but that appears to be changing.

Fans are beginning to warm to the big man, and his aerial threat is a weapon that cannot be ignored.

Fellaini will continue to do a job in the middle for Mourinho’s team, and should be on the team sheet this evening.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan

Mkhitaryan found the back of the in the first leg, and has been impressive throughout this season’s Europa League campaign.

The summer signing from Borussia Dortmund was omitted from the team that beat Chelsea, but the Armenian should be back in the side tonight.

Mkhitaryan is extremely experienced in European competition, and will be eager to impress, and force his way back into the manager’s plans for Sunday’s match up at Burnley.

Anthony Martial

Mourinho publicly criticised Martial in his pre match press conference, stating that the French forward need to give his manager ‘things that I like’.

Martial has the ability to prove his worth at Old Trafford, and Mourinho should present the opportunity for the former Monaco man this evening.

Martial needs a big performance, and a match up against a side United should be beating comfortably may be the Frenchman’s chance.

Play well, and Mourinho could be given a selection ahead in the coming weeks.