In what will now be the biggest game of the season yet for Manchester United, they travel to Wembley this weekend to take on Tottenham Hotspur in the semi-finals of the FA Cup. United beat PL opponents in Huddersfield Town and Brighton in the last two rounds of the competition and will look to go all the way this season. Mourinho has only won one FA Cup in his time in England and will certainly look to better this record.
United have lost two of their last three semi-finals and also lost to Spurs at Wembley in the domestic league game earlier in the season. But Pochettino is yet to win any silverware as a manager and will be in charge of a side that has not won any of their last seven semi-finals in the competition. This is Mourinho’s only chance of silverware this season and he is expected to go for the kill. But Spurs are not an easy team to beat and will test them till the end. Here is the predicted lineup Mourinho might field for this tie:
Team News:
In early team news, Mourinho is without backup shot-stopper Sergio Romero, who remains the only absentee ahead of this game.
Expected lineup (4-3-3):
Defence:
David de Gea had a comfortable time in the last two league outings but will be under pressure against a free-scoring Spurs side. He will start under the bar and will be helped by a CB pairing of Eric Bailly and Phil Jones, both of who will have to keep a close eye on Harry Kane, who is slowly finding his feet after getting back from an injury.
Antonio Valencia will add some width to the backline on the right flank while Ashley Young’s experience will be crucial for United on their left flank.
Midfield:
Mourinho has used a 4-2-3-1 system extensively this season but might revert to a 3-man midfield for this crunch tie. While Nemanja Matic is one of the first names on the team sheet for the club, French midfielder Paul Pogba will now start to the left of Matic.
Spanish ace Ander Herrera will add urgency and industry in the middle of the park and could easily be the game changer, playing in a floating role.
Attack:
Romelu Lukaku remains Mourinho’s best option to lead the line. He will start up front while Jesse Lingard might be given a chance to shine at Wembley yet again.
Mourinho has indicated that Alexis Sanchez will be axed for this tie. Marcus Rashford is expected to start in his place on the left flank.
Here is how they might line up:
