After an embarrassing performance in the first-leg of Manchester United’s Europa League Round of 16 clash with Liverpool, the Red Devils have left themselves with it all to do heading into tonight’s reverse fixture at Old Trafford.
2-0 down on aggregate, and having not won in three matches across all competitions, the odds are firmly stacked against United. However, Liverpool haven’t been great this season and their inconsistency means that United could overturn their deficit- especially with Simon Mignolet in goal for the Reds.
To do so, United will have to be on-point from the first minute until the last and there’s as much pressure upon Louis Van Gaal as there is on the players themselves, as the result could easily come down to his team selection.
Having dug through the list of available players, delved into the stats and thrown our own opinion into the mix, we’ve come up with the line-up Van Gaal simply has to select to beat Liverpool this evening.
Hit Van Gaal below to see how Man United’s XI has to look tonight!
[ffc-gallery]
[/ffc-gallery]
GK: David De Gea
With links to Real Madrid, and now Paris Saint-Germain, surfacing once again, David De Gea can consider the remaining games with Manchester United this season as the opportunity to present himself to the clubs on the market.
Unfortunately for United, De Gea’s exit is inevitable but they can expect a level of professionalism from the Spaniard, who has impressed this season since making his return after a dramatic turn of events on Deadline Day last summer.
With De Gea between the sticks, United’s chances of keeping a clean sheet are immediately boosted and that has to be a focus this evening, as an away goal for Liverpool drastically changes the outlook for the game.
RB: Matteo Darmian
Manchester United have had injury problems across their defence all season but they’ll be glad to be able to select Matteo Darmian on the right-hand side, with the Italian enjoying an impressive inaugural season with United.
His defensive performance tonight will be crucial but he can also provide a difference at the other end, particularly on the counter-attack if he can get the ball moving down his flank quickly. The left-side of Liverpool’s defence is the weakest, so this is the flank United should attack.
CB: Chris Smalling
Amid another disappointing season for Manchester United, Chris Smalling can hold his head high after putting in a terrific shift in the middle of defence- and he’s established himself as England’s leading centre-back ahead of the European Championships.
He’ll need another fine game this evening to keep Liverpool’s talented attack quiet but it’s something he is definitely capable of- especially as Liverpool’s attack isn’t amongst the best in the world, no matter how well they perform.
CB: Daley Blind
Probably not first-choice centre-back if the entire squad was fit, Daley Blind in the middle could actually be a blessing this evening. United have to attack quickly and in numbers, so having a ball-playing defensive player like Blind could be useful.
Blind’s control at the back will allow United to quickly shift from defence to attack, handing the ball immediately to their pacy forward line to exploit Liverpool when they over commit. Jurgen Klopp isn’t a manager to sit-back and defend, so expect there to be gaps.
LB: Marcos Rojo
Like Blind, Rojo isn’t quite first-choice in this left-sided role but injuries mean it’s the only decision that can really be made. For the young Argentine, he may find himself playing for his own future at the club in the final stages of the season.
Rojo’s performances with United have been inconsistent, to say the least, but he is a capable defender and can cause problems moving forward. Like Darmian on the other side, his attacking approach could end-up providing the difference, as long as his balls into the middle are accurate.
RCM: Morgan Schneiderlin
Manchester United need goals this evening, at least two of them, so the side needs to be flooded with attacking players. However, the danger of conceding an away goal is real and, should that happen, United will find the tie becoming increasingly more difficult.
With Schneiderlin in front of the defence, it gives a free reign to those in front of him whilst ensuring the back-line is protected. His control on the ball and distribution will also be pivotal, with United desperate to take control of the midfield battle.
Schneiderlin, and his midfield partner, need to put in a quality shift.
LCM: Bastian Schweinsteiger
Like Schneiderlin alongside him, Bastian Schweinsteiger can be entrusted with the ball and distribution to get attacks going. Sitting in front of the defence, he’ll also need to pick-up any loose balls and ensure Liverpool don’t run the midfield.
The World Cup winner hasn’t yet shown his best in Manchester but he’s certainly still a talented player and his experience will be crucial in the backs against the wall job that United face this evening. His level-head will be crucial, especially in the middle of the park.
RW: Memphis Depay
Memphis Depay is another Manchester United ace that’s been terribly inconsistent this season but United need goals and he’s also shown throughout the year that he’s capable of providing moments of magic, which is something the Red Devils are in need of tonight.
This is perhaps the selection that could backfire but if it pays off, including Depay could be a game-winning decision. His skilful play and direct approach could stretch the Liverpool defence, providing space for his team-mates to probe into.
If he’s not performing by the hour mark, he can be sacrificed for someone else- but he’s worth the risk in starting.
CAM: Juan Mata
Marouane Fellaini caught the headlines due to his clash with Emre Can in the first-leg, which he wasn’t punished for by UEFA, and many expect the Belgian to start centrally tonight. However, to accommodate Depay and provide a further attacking outlay, Juan Mata should play centrally.
There’s no doubt Mata plays his best football in a central position and pushing him out-wide for this game would see United waste a valuable asset. He’s much more attacking than Fellaini, and is overall a better player, so he’d provide a potent force to United’s attack.
With an eye for a killer ball and a keen knack of finding the back of the net, Mata could be a deciding factor in today’s game.
LW: Jesse Lingard
Suspended for the first-leg at Anfield, Manchester United will be glad to be able to welcome young Jesse Lingard back into the side this evening- and in the attacking trio we’ve selected, he could be a real handful.
Mata, Lingard and Depay could all interchange positions quite easily, which would undoubtably cause the defence problems, so starting on the left isn’t too drastic. He’s been better this season than Depay, so up against Liverpool’s weaker left-flank he could provide the breakthrough.
What’s crucial though is the ability to shake things up within the attacking trio, keeping Liverpool on their toes throughout.
ST: Anthony Martial
Marcus Rashford has crashed down to earth after his sensational breakthrough and it would be a little harsh to put all the pressure on him this evening in such a big game. That makes Anthony Martial the obvious choice, with Wayne Rooney still absent through injury.
Martial’s performances this season have come in big-parts but he’s overdue a solid run of form once again. Having already got the better of the Liverpool defence this season, on his debut, Martial could be the scourge of Merseyside once again.
With Lingard, Mata and Depay all providing support, Martial should expect to be amongst the goals tonight.
