Ruben Amorim is expected to field an attacking line-up for tonight’s vital Europa League clash with Lyon at the Groupama Stadium.
The defensive-minded midfield double pivot of Casemiro and Manu Ugarte will likely be disbanded, with Bruno Fernandes moving back into central midfield alongside the Uruguayan.
The fact that Ugarte was subbed after 70 minutes against City at the weekend while 33 year old Casemiro played the whole game signals Amorim’s intention to protect the former’s fitness for this game and to start the latter on the bench.
Joshua Zirkzee was rested for the derby, playing just the last 20 minutes, but we think this too could have been with the intention of keeping him fresh for tonight. We predict he will start in the centre forward position, with Rasmus Hojlund returning to the bench. Amorim hinted at the same in the presser, saying that United will need to take a different approach to attacking than Hojlund’s runs.
If Hojlund is rested, Mason Mount could finally get his first start since returning from injury, with Alejandro Garnacho completing the front three.
Patrick Chinazekpere Dorgu came in for some stick after the derby, but we expect Amorim to keep faith with the 20 year old at left wing back, with Diogo Dalot his counterpart on the right.
The back three is likely to remain the same, that is Harry Maguire, Leny Yoro and Noussair Mazraoui. Matthijs de Ligt and Lisandro Martinez are still injured and have not travelled.
Andre Onana will start in goal. He has much to prove as he has been vocal in his criticisms of tonight’s opponents and entered into something of a slanging match with former United man, Nemanja Matic.
Before he was injured, Altay Bayindir was being selected as goalkeeper for cup games but Amorim definitively stated at the press conference that Onana will start in this game.
Kobbie Mainoo is back in the squad and could make his return, but this will almost certainly be from the bench.
The rest of the travelling squad at Amorim’s disposal is:
Tom Heaton, Victor Lindelof, Godwill Kukonki, Jaydan Kamason, Luke Shaw, Harry Amass, Christian Eriksen and Jack Moorhouse.
Chido Obi is not registered to play in the Europa League.
Here, then, is our predicted starting XI for the game:
Featured image Ion Alcoba Beitia via Getty Images
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Red Billy
Red Billy is the managing editor of The Peoples Person, author of three books and totally obsessed with football’s transfer market. Billy still insists Matteo Darmian and Alex Telles could have made it at United given half a chance.
