Patrick Rees
Manchester United are up for the final battle of the Europa League, as a trip to Odessa on Wednesday is scheduled to face the all confident Zorya side.
The Devils are in a fine form in the competition, as they currently are sitting second in their group and a win would guarantee them a first place finish if Feyenoord manages to beat Fenerbahce. The group has been hotly fought and the top three sides will be doing everything they can, hence, a win for United is a must.
Domestically, Mourinho’s men have been struggling badly, as they have played back to back draws and their position on the log table isn’t very convincing either. A big change in the side is expected from the manager, as they prepare for the clash and Mourinho has announced his 19-men squad for the trip:
Travelling squad: De Gea, Romero, Johnstone; Fosu-Mensah, Jones, Bailly, Rojo, Blind, Young; Fellaini, Herrera, Pogba, Lingard, Mata, Mkhitaryan; Martial, Rashford, Rooney, Ibrahimovic.
That surely is an interesting squad and the young guns are expected to take the mantle against the Ukranian opponent. The English duo; Chris Smalling and Luke Shaw will miss the game due to injury, while Bastian Schweinsteiger is ineligible to play in the competition.
But the surprise exclusion has been of Memphis Depay and Morgan Schneiderlin. The duo has found their chances hard to come by and are expected to leave the club in the January transfer window with Everton being an interesting party.
Romero might start at goal, while the new signing Eric Bailly will be hoping to see some action. Both Valencia and Darmian are set to take a well-deserved rest at home, hence they young Timothy Fosu-Mensah might start on the flank. On the left side, the manager might opt to go with the versatile Dutchman Daley Blind, as Rojo played a part in past weekend’s League action.
Furthermore, Carrick has also been left at home so the manager will have to pick a potential partner for Paul Pogba, and the choice has been cut down to two; Ander Herrera and Marouane Fellaini. The Spaniard surely deserves a rest, but the fans will certainly not support the big Belgian on the field due to his recent actions against the Evertonians.
Lingard might get his chance on the flank, while Rooney will most probably feature as a number 10 man with Ibrahimovic or Rashford up front. That will leave three players battling for the right wing; Mkhitaryan, Mata and Martial.
Both Martial and Mkhitaryan featured in the game against Everton, hence we might see Mata making his way into the starting XI. Choices are many, but the manager will have to choose his squad wisely, as defeat will bring their qualification chances in jeopardy.
Predicted 4-2-3-1 Line-up:
Romero
Fosu-Mensah; Bailly; Jones; Blind
Fellaini; Pogba
Mata; Rooney; Lingard
Rashford
