Manchester United return to UEFA Europa League action on Thursday evening as they travel to San Mamés to face Athletic Club in the semi final first leg match. United are undefeated in the Europa League this season and are the only team in ay European competition to be undefeated, which put United is a good place, at least for now.
Ruben Amorim’s side have played better football in Europe this season than they have in the Premier League or any other competition. United will need to lift the Europa League this season in order to participate in a European competition next season as they look to have their worst ever season in the Premier League since it began.
United are unlikely to finish above 11th place in the Premier League thin season and that is being generous. The club will then embark on an important summer for the club as answers to United’s problems will need to be found and a number of players will need to be signed for the club, betting the chemistry in the squad, which is poor.
Predicted Manchester United Starting XI – 3-4-2-1
Onana;
Shaw, Maguire, Yoro;
Mazraoui, Casemiro, Ugarte, Dorgu;
Fernandes, Garnacho;
Hojlund
Goalkeeper: Onana
Andre Onana will need to perform to the heights that he is capable of for the club to get what they dream of this season – winning the UEFA Europa League. This, should it happen, is the only way they will be playing in a European competition next season due to their poor position in the Premier League.
The Cameroonian has conceded 145 goals since joining the club in the summer of 2023. It is the worst an experienced goalkeeper has done at United in decades. David De Gea was much better than him, even when he first joined the club back in 2011. United need to find a capable goalkeeper in the summer.
Altay Bayindir does not seem to offer what United require either, which is a shame as he does command his area well. It does to define him as a goalkeeper though as United’s predicament has not been the best for either player with a massive number of injuries to key defensive players at the club, which needs to be stopped too.
Defenders: Shaw, Maguire, Yoro
The United defence will need to find some form against Bilbao. United have suffered in defence this season with a number of long term injuries, which never seemed to get better. Luke Shaw started on the right side of the defence with Harry Maguire in the centre of the defence and Leny Yoro playing in the left side.
This is the best trio for United at this time with the number of injuries to the defence. The likes of Victor Lindelof and Jonny Evans will be available on the bench should United need more changes, which is likely to be the case. Shaw did well against Bournemouth, playing his first 90 minutes of the season and it could work here too.
Should this not work for United, there are no other options at this stage other than blood in some younger players in the defence, which would be the best for them and United in the grand scheme of things. United will need to be at their best for this match – which is not what we have seen this season in all competitions.
Midfield: Mazraoui, Casemiro, Ugarte, Dorgu
The United midfield will need to be packed with ability to get this tie by the scruff of the neck and get the job done. However, the liked of Casemiro and Manuel Ugarte will need to remain cook as the Norwegian referee is trigger happy with the cards, which could end up ruling the duo out for the final, should United get there.
The midfield duo should partner in the centre of the midfield against Bilbao based on their experience and their capabilities in the game. This is going to be needed for United against the fourth-placed side in LaLiga. There are reinforcements in this area on the bench though, which will be needed later in the match.
In the wide areas of the midfield, Noussair Mazraoui and Patrick Dorgu should be starting. There are many suggestions that Dorgu is not ready to play as a wing back for United but United have no other options at this time with Diogo Dalot out of action for a number of weeks, which is a shame.
Attack: Fernandes, Hojlund, Garnacho
United’s attacking line has not lived up to expectations this season, which is a massive shame. Rasmus Hojlund has been largely uninspiring in front of goal this season but he did score a great goal for United against Bournemouth on Sunday, which should have given him the confidence to find more goals for the remainder of the season.
Bruno Fernandes is the man the makes things happen for United this season. He scores goals and assists them but to some he is just a penalty taker that is not good enough to play for United – these people have flawed minds. So many would choose Paul Pogba over him and I am not sure why!
Alejandro Garnacho should also be starting in the attacking three, despite not really performing of late – but there is a good player in the mix who can get things done for United. However, the writing is on the wall for the young Argentinian who could have been sold during the January transfer window – maybe in the summer?
Substitutes: Bayindir, Heaton; Lindelof, Evans, Amass, Fredricson; Mount, Eriksen, Mainoo, Kone, Moorhouse, Fletcher
United cane name up to 12 players on the bench in the Europa League this season. Granted, a number of first team players are injured at this time so to raise the numbers in the squad, talented youth players will need to be added to the squad at this stage. Altay Bayindir and Tom Heaton will both be on the bench in the goalkeeper ranks.
In defence, United have a number of options out of action which leaves Victor Lindelof, Jonny Evans, Harry Amass and Tyler Fredricson able to be utilised – which is a good mixture of youth and experience, which is what it should be like at a club like United. Onwards and upwards for the young reds.
In the midfield, Mason Mount, Christian Eriksen, Kobbie Mainoo, Sekou Kone, Jack Moorhouse and Jack Fletcher could all find some involvement, should reinforcements be required. In terms of attacking player, United do not have any available, unless qualified youth players are added to the squad. Chido Obi is ineligible.
Written by Paul
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