Manchester United’s manager Jose Mourinho said it clearly that the League matches currently are something that the team does not want to play in. However, they must finish the matches allotted and their next game takes them to the South-coast of England where Claude Puel’s Southampton host them at the St. Mary’s stadium.
Seven days remain for the Europa League finals but since United have come off the weekend match against Tottenham Hotspur, Jose might rest a few and rotate the squad.
Jose Mourinho, in his press conference, revealed that Paul Pogba will not feature after his father’s sad passing, and David De Gea has not travelled either. Daley Blind apparently will be rested and Fellaini will start the game. Martial is one of the important players for whom 90 minutes of game-time is important, Jose Mourinho said, and along with the Frenchman he mentioned Smalling, Jones and Mata as well.
Sergio Romero is expected to start in goal with Antonio Valencia starting as right-back. Considering Eric Bailly will not be available in finals due to suspension he might start tonight. Phil Jones will retain his centre-back position alongside Bailly with Matteo Darmian starting as the left-back.
Ander Herrera and Marouane Fellaini might play as the double pivot. Ahead of them, with a point to prove, will be captain Wayne Rooney. The England international’s future is unclear and he’d want to put in a good performance to convince the United board that his future lies at Old Trafford.
Henrikh Mkhtariyan and Anthony Martial are expected to start as the two wide players with Marcus Rashford as the lone striker. The forward has been pretty good form and has replaced the injured Ibrahimovic well. The fans will hope he can continue his good form ahead of the key final in the Europa League.
United have nothing to play for in the League at the moment and their only objective will be to finish as high as they can, whiich by the way is fifth as they can no longer catch Liverpool or Arsenal.
The preparation for the showpiece final will all be about balance and organisation as the game in Stockholm is one of the most important matches for the club at the moment. Failure to gather momentum from their final two league games could mean trouble as Ajax are hurting after losing the league title to Feyenoord and will do everything to win silverware.
Expected Manchester United lineup
