Manchester United made their way into the Europa League final with a huge 4-1 win over Athletic Club at Old Trafford last night.
The Red Devils struggled initially but composed themselves after the hour mark and tore into the Basque side to give themselves a morale-boosting 7-1 win on aggregate.
United will face fellow Premier League strugglers Tottenham Hotspur in the final in Bilbao on Wednesday 21st May.
Ruben Amorim will be desperate to win a trophy and also qualify for next season’s Champions League.
Here is the line-up that will fire him and United to glory.
Andre Onana has hardly been a pillar of consistency but he has improved his form lately after a horror show in France against Olympique Lyonnais last month. Therefore, he will take his place in nets for the final.
Leny Yoro has been outstanding lately and fully deserves to be the first defender on the team sheet. He not only defended with great skill last night but he also drove forward and got an assist for Mason Mount’s first goal.
Matthijs de Ligt will miss the game against West Ham United with a knock but it is suggested that he will be fit for the final. His big game experience and aerial ability will be vital to United’s chances of bringing home the silverware.
The last centre back position is less obvious but Harry Maguire should edge out Victor Lindelof. The Swede was solid enough in the two semi-finals but the England international has been a key member of the first team lately.
His penchant for erratic moments reared its ugly head in Athletic Club’s goal last night but he has certainly been more consistent lately and deserves the chance to play in the final.
Patrick Dorgu has been a constant in the side since his move from Lecce in January and his physicality down the left hand side has hurt numerous Europa League sides this season.
The Dane does need to improve his decision making skills in the final third but he has played a lot more football than Luke Shaw, who can add vital experience from the bench as a centre back or left wing back.
Noussair Mazraoui has been a rock this season for United, playing over 50 games in his debut season. Nonetheless, if Diogo Dalot is fit, he needs to play. The Portugal international has a wealth of big game experience and also has the energy to get up and down the wing all night.
With United needing to be more attacking in the final to get the victory, Dalot is a better option than Mazraoui at right wing back.
Manuel Ugarte and Casemiro will certainly make up the midfield duo providing they are fit to play. Casemiro has completely turned around his season under Ruben Amorim.
The legendary Brazilian was left out of the team and squad at times at the beginning of Amorim’s stint at the club. Nonetheless, hard work and skill have meant he is arguably the club’s most important midfielder and he was outstanding in the two legs versus Bilbao, scoring in both matches.
What’s more, Casemiro is a serial winner and United will lean heavily on his European experience in Spain.
Ugarte has also won over numerous fans with his all-action displays and will provide solidity in the middle of the park alongside the Brazilian. His pressing and ground covering will be essential if United are to match Spurs’ energy on the night.
Bruno Fernandes is the most obvious of choices as he has been by far and away United’s most valuable player over the course of the season. The Portuguese can conjure up a moment of magic at any time and his exemplary work rate will also be vital if United are to hoist up the trophy at the end of the night.
The next spot is more difficult to choose as Mason Mount was incredible in his appearance off the bench last night, scoring two wonderful goals. Nonetheless, Amad always takes United up a notch offensively and if anyone is going to break the deadlock in a red shirt in the final, the chances are the Ivorian will play a role.
He was great last night in the second half and set up Hojlund with a wonderful bit of skill and ball across the area.
Finally, Hojlund will start up front as he is the only fit senior striker. Despite poor form this season, the Dane did grab his tenth goal of the season and sixth of the Europa League campaign last night. Hopefully he can continue to increase his confidence in the next 12 days leading up to the final.
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Alex Browne
Alex is a huge Manchester United fan, inspired by greats of his homeland such as George Best, Harry Gregg and Norman Whiteside. Proud owner of such niche shirts such as Kleberson, Eric Djemba-Djemba and Gary Neville. Grew up pretending to be Ruud van Nistelrooy and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in the back garden, with little success.
