Patrick Rees
So Manchester United came back to winning ways after they dismantled the reigning Premier League Champions Leicester City last weekend, and now they will be hoping to do the same in the upcoming Europa League clash against the Ukrainian side – Zorya Luhansk.
The Devils took the lead through an unlikely source, Chris Smalling, in the game against Leicester and later went on to score three more goals. Juan Mata found the net after a brilliant team move and Marcus Rashford added the third before Paul Pogba slotted his first ever goal in the net in front of the home spectators.
The next task for the manager is to get his first win in the Europa League. Zorya Luhansk, formerly known as Zorya-MALS, will be visiting Old Trafford this Thursday.
Here is the predicted line-up for United that could face the Ukrainians this Thursday:
Goalkeeper: Sergio Romero-
We might see the manager dropping the current number one, David De Gea, for the night. The Argentine is yet to make an impact in United’s shirt and this could well be it. Trusting the reliable defenders, a gamble in this department can be taken.
Defence: Darmian; Bailly; Smalling; Rojo-
Mourinho might look to offer Matteo Darmian yet another chance. Well, let’s be fair; this is the only competition the Italian will be getting his fair share as Valencia has now cemented his place in the Premier League.
A same centre back pairing is expected in the game this time around. The pair worked really great against Leicester and barely gave the Foxes a chance to test De Gea and will be hoping to replicate the same in the next fixture as well.
Daley Blind was exceptional against Leicester, and this is the least I could say for the Dutchman. Unarguably, he has been an unsung player for the squad and his presence has affected the game one way or the other. Be it the centre back spot or the left back spot, he has played with full desire, but this time around, the manager might look to give him a much-deserved rest, so Marcos Rojo could make his way up in the lineup.
Holding Pair: Carrick; Pogba-
Just like Blind, Ander Herrera was a tireless worker on the field against Leicester, but with a game against Stoke City coming up this weekend, the manager might look to rest him against the Ukrainians. So Michael Carrick might make his way up in the team.
The 35-year-old Englishman still has many things to offer and his presence in the middle of the park could really turn the tides for the side. He was played in the league cup tie and besides that, he hasn’t featured for the manager, so this could well be it.
His attacking partner would most probably be the new arrival from Turin, Paul Pogba. The Frenchman was on fire against Leicester and will be looking to build on it.
Attacking Trio: Mata; Rooney; Depay-
Juan Mata has been an exceptional figure for the side so far and the team has held a 100% winning record in the games he has featured in, so it is fair to say that he is the charm for the side. In that case, Mourinho will be using this charm for the next game as well, but this time around; he will be playing in the right wing as the skipper Wayne Rooney will mark his return to the starting line-up.
The 30-year-old Englishman was omitted from the starting squad last time out, and he will surely be returning to it this Thursday. With that being said, Memphis Depay might play again as well. The Dutch was used against Feyenoord last time out but didn’t have the effect he would have hoped for.
Striker: Ibrahimovic-
Rashford or Ibrahimovic? I think it will be the Swede. The 34-year-old is yet to score a goal for three games running and for a player of his calibre; this is a thing to worry. He will be hoping to assert his authority at Old Trafford and could finally end his drought.
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