Strongest Man United Lineup To Play Against Bayern: Kagawa And Welbeck Should Start In A Hybrid 4-4-1-1 Formation

Manchester United travel to the daunting Allianz Arena fully aware that they need to score to stand a chance of progressing to the semi finals of the Champions League. After a spirited performance to earn a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford, United are slowing coming to their own having brushed aside Newcastle United by 4-0 in the weekend and given Bayern’s first loss in the Bundesliga in over 53 matches, it will be an intriguing prospect for the Red Devils, but David Moyes has to instill the belief in his side that can evoke one of Manchester United’s greatest fighting spirits in the upper echelons in Europe’s top tier club competition.

So what will be the Scot’s strongest lineup to face the Bavarians in the glittering Wednesday night? We here at Soccersouls have the answer.

Goalkeeper:

David De Gea will be in for a huge night and can barely expect to have a lapse of concentration against the Bavarians. Guardiola’s side has got goals from anywhere in the pitch and with the trio of Mandzukic, Robben and Ribery leading the line up front, it would require only a miracle for the Spaniard to keep a clean sheet. De Gea will be fully aware he needs to perform in the biggest of stages lest United’s chances of progressing would blow up in smoke

Defenders:

The United defence gave their all in the first leg at Old Trafford as David moyes hopes his backline can emulate last week’s effort in Munich. Rafael should start in the right back slot for the Red Devils, taking his place at the back of an injury but will face Franck Ribery, the dazzling Frenchman who was kept under severe scrutiny by Phil Jones in the first leg.

At left back, Moyes will have Patrice Evra returning from suspension and must to decide to go for the Frenchman or persist with the youngster Alexander Buttner who, to his great credit kept Arjen Robben quite in the first leg. Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic should play at the heart of the defence trying to keep the prolific Mario Mandzukic at bay, the Croatian who is expected to start in place of Thomas Muller this time around.

Although Jones is available, Moyes would opt for the experienced duo Ferdinand and Vidic to start the game and maybe Jones might be involved in the second half if Bayern decide to attack relentlessly unlike the first leg.

Midfield:

Juan Mata is ineligible for the encounter having fared with Chelsea earlier in the competition, so David Moyes would once again have to decide to pair which of his midfielders alongside Michael Carrick in the centre.

Marounne Fellaini has had two shockers recently and with Darren Fletcher outstanding against the Magpies during the weekend, the Scot should get his name etched in the starting eleven. Antonio Valencia should play on the right wing while it is perhaps time to give Shinji Kagawa the grandest of stages to make an impression, the Japanese who has looked simply sumptuous in the past few weeks.

Strikeforce:

Wayne Rooney is set to give United a huge boost by winning his battle against injury and be fit in time to lead the line up front. The 28 year old was at the centre of a diving row involving Bastian Schweinsteiger during the first-leg which resulted in the German being sent off. Rooney had emerged as a doubt for the match after sustaining a badly bruised toe in the first leg but reports claim he will be fit to start.

Danny Welbeck’s runs caused Bayern all sorts of problems in defence and the young Englishman should start on the wide left as United look to play in a hybrid of the 4-4-1-1 and the 4-5-1 setup to keep the holding European Champions at bay.