An injury-hit Manchester United squad will travel to Spain to take on Celta Vigo in the semi-finals of the UEFA Europa League 2016-17 on Thursday night at the Balaidos.
The Red Devils progressed to the final four of the competition after a hard-fought 3-2 aggregate victory over Belgian club RSC Anderlecht. And with their Premier League campaign faltering, Jose Mourinho will see this competition as the only way through to the Champions League for next season and will want to establish a stronghold on the fixture, in the first leg away from home.
Jose Mourinho will be without as many as 7 first-team players due to injury. Chris Smalling (knee), Phil Jones (broken toe), Eric Bailly (ankle), Marcos Rojo (Anterior Cruciate Ligament), Luke Shaw (unknown) and Timothy Fosu-Mensah (shoulder) are all the defenders who have been ruled out for the tie along with leading goalscorer Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Anterior Cruciate Ligament).
There is some good news though as record signing Paul Pogba will be available again after missing out last week. Juan Mata is also ready after recovering from his hernia surgery and making it to the bench for the 1-1 draw against Swansea City on Sunday. Midfielder Marouane Fellaini will be available for selection as well.
Did not have the best of the games over the weekend. He will need to be at the top of his game against Celta Vigo.
One of the most consistent players for Manchester United this season, Mourinho would have wanted to rest him last weekend. But he could not do it due to Luke Shaw’s early injury. His bursts down the right flank will be vital for United.
With Eric Bailly joining the list of defensive casualties, United are left with no specialist centre-halves in their ranks. It would mean veteran midfielder Michael Carrick moving back into the heart of the defence.
Carrick will be partnered by another makeshift centre-half Daley Blind. The Dutchman has done a good job in the last two games for United and will look to continue the same vein of form.
With Luke Shaw also out, the Red Devils are left with just Matteo Darmian as the only natural full-back in the team. He should start on the left-side of the defence ahead of Ashley Young.
The Spaniard has tailed off in the recent matches after his outstanding display against Chelsea. He will have to work extra hard to shield a vulnerable backline.
The world record signing was missed against the Swans over the weekend, with Manchester United struggling to get going in the middle of the park. His return will be a huge boost.
United have missed the little Spaniard in the attacking third. Jesse Lingard has struggled to impact the games he has played in and he should make way for Mata on Thursday.
Another player who was left on the bench on Sunday, keeping in mind the Europa League semi-finals. Mkhitaryan will come into the fray in place of Wayne Rooney.
The Frenchman will keep his place on the left flank, but he will need to step up and deliver if United are to come home with a positive result from Spain.
Has taken up the goalscoring mantle since Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s injury and has done pretty well. The 19-year old will be Manchester United’s biggest trump card in the attack, with his pace and direct running.
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