da betsson： The games just keep on coming for Jose Mourinho and his Manchester United team, with Thursday night’s big Europa League quarter-final first leg visit to Anderlecht followed up by the small matter of Chelsea at home.
da bet7： For ‘The Special One’ this is a massive encounter, with the chance to get one over on his former employers sure to be a priority for him, while dropping points is something his side cannot afford to do as they aim to reel in Liverpool and Manchester City in the race for a top-four finish and Champions League qualification.
Given the quantity of injuries Mourinho has to cope with and the short turnaround between games, the Portuguese tactician will need to make a few changes to his XI to both keep his team fresh and negate the threats Chelsea possess, of which there are many – they are the league leaders, after all.
With that in mind, here’s the XI Man United must field…
GK – Sergio Romero
Amid reports of a fall-out between David de Gea and Mourinho, Romero has been getting the nod in goal, starting vs. Anderlecht on Thursday night and, perhaps more tellingly, away at Sunderland in the league last weekend. Even though this is a massive game ‘The Special One’ is not a manager to back down, so there’s every chance that the Argentine will be selected once again.
RB – Antonio Valencias
Mourinho’s go-to player at right-back, the Ecuadorian has converted well from the wing role of his early career, combining his experience in terms of reading the game with his pace and brute strength. In many ways, Valencia is the complete modern full-back.
CB – Eric Bailly
Signed for a big fee from Villarreal last summer, Bailly has looked a pretty astute purchase so far. He may be prone to diving into tackles a bit too eagerly, but the Ivorian has the pace and power to nullify speedy strikers and if partnered with a more authoritative centre-back long-term, he could be a key component in an effective Man United team.
CB – Marcos Rojo
With Mourinho’s options depleted, Rojo is the Portuguese tactician’s best option to play alongside Bailly. The Argentine has been much improved this term after some shaky showings in the past, yet he’s still caught out far too often, as he was for Phil Jagielka’s goal for Everton at Old Trafford.
LB – Daley Blind
With Matteo Darmian having played two games in a week and Luke Shaw not yet entirely trusted by his manager, Blind might get the nod at left-back. The Dutchman is a classy footballer and offers great delivery, but Mourinho appears to remain unconvinced by him.
CM – Ander Herrera
Having sat out the entirety of the Europa League clash on Thursday night, Herrera will be fully rested for Chelsea. The Spaniard’s tenacity in midfield has been essential in freeing up his more creative partners during Man United’s impressive 21-game unbeaten league run and Mourinho will be eager to have him involved.
CM – Paul Pogba
Roundly slated despite being, statistically, very good vs. Anderlecht on Thursday (above), Pogba will be one of the players Mourinho looks to to provide a moment of inspiration in a game that he will want to keep tight. The Frenchman may not have delivered to the extent his £89m price-tag suggests he should, but the big players do it on the big occasions, so all eyes will be on the Frenchman vs. Chelsea.
CM – Marouane Fellaini
With Mourinho likely to want to keep things tight and get the better of the midfield battle he might lean on the physicality of Fellaini. The Belgian divides opinion, but he offers genuine presence in the middle of the pitch and is an effective option when pushed up to support the attack, with few defenders able to compete with him aerially, which may be of use against Cesar Azpilicueta.
RM – Jesse Lingard
Lingard combines quality on the ball with defensive work-rate, which might well make him appealing here with Chelsea’s threat often coming from their wing-backs and inside forwards. Valencia will require assistance through the game, so the England international’s switched on nature will make him preferable to other options such as Anthony Martial or Marcus Rashford.
LM – Henrikh Mkhitaryan
The goalscorer in midweek and one of few genuine match-winners in this Man United team, Mkhitaryan may be more effective in a central berth, but he can be a threat from wide, too. Mourinho will be desperate for the Armenian to cut in and link up with the next man on this list…
ST – Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Despite being 35, Ibrahimovic has shown all season that he can cope with the relentless fixture list and pace of English football and with this such a huge game Mourinho is almost certain to select him. With aerial presence, ‘Ibra’ may look to isolate Cesar Azpilicueta at the back post, so good delivery from wide will be essential.