Manchester United are in terrific form and the mood will be great at Old Trafford heading into Thursday’s game in the Europa League. United have an upper hand because of the away goal. It will be fascinating to see what Jose’s team can conjure this time around.
Mourinho’s side triumphed 2-0 against the Premier League leaders Chelsea this past Sunday. A lot of credit has to go to the manager as he risked getting flak from the fans and media alike when he benched top-scorer Zlatan Ibrahimović and Henrikh Mkhitaryan, while Martial didn’t even make the match day squad. But United surprised everyone with their performance which undoubtedly was their best showing of the season so far. They were at their effervescent best. And that means Anderlecht will have their work cut-out when these two teams line up Thursday evening.
Injuries and suspensions
Juan Mata is ruled out for the season. Wayne Rooney is also out with an ankle injury. Chris Smalling and Phil Jones are also out with knocks.
Mkhitaryan, Bailly and Herrera are in risk of missing the semi-final if they are booked.
Here is the expected Manchester United line-up for the quarter-final 2nd leg.
Goalkeeper
Sergio Romero will be back after sitting out the win over Chelsea in the weekend. He has been a regular in the Europa League this season and will be looking to help United advance into the last four.
Defence
On the right, Antonio Valencia will look to keep his place in this crunch fixture with the tie still not put to bed. The Ecuadorian is in great form heading into this one and fans will be expecting some forays forward as well.
Marcos Rojo and Eric Bailly will look to continue their superb form off late which saw them shackle Diego Costa with the striker nor the entire Chelsea team registering a shot on target on Sunday.
Ashley Young is set to keep his place at left-back after a surprise selection this past weekend. Jose will trust Young to fulfil his duties and provide width in attack as well, with Young’s crossing abilities put to the fore.
Midfield
Paul Pogba will be one of the first names on the team sheet as he looks set to play the full 90 (his third in a space of a week). Pogba has completed the most amount of passes for the Red Devils this season and currently the highest in the league as well.
Michael Carrick and Sunday’s man of the match Ander Herrera will partner the Frenchman in a midfield trio. Herrera, who completed a successful man-marking job on Sunday against Chelsea’s Eden Hazard, will be looking to build on the goal and the assist he provided. Meanwhile, Carrick managed to get half an hour of football against the Blues and will be relatively fresh for Thursday’s clash.
Forwards
Zlatan Ibrahimović will look to kill the game early on, flanked by Henrikh Mkhitaryan and teenage sensation Marcos Rashford. Rashford, fresh off a scintillating display on Sunday, will revert back to the wings to make way for the Swede. Mkhitaryan scored the crucial away goal last Thursday and will be looking to add to that.
