With one Europa League Group Stage game remaining, Manchester United currently sit in 2nd place in Group A with 9 points. They may need to get a positive result on Thursday in order to advance from the group, so Jose Mourinho will need to play his best possible lineup for this match.
GK- David de Gea
Sergio Romero has gotten some playing time in Europa League this season, but I expect David de Gea to get the start in goal on Thursday against Zorya. Hopefully Manchester United’s defense is strong enough on Thursday that whoever they put in goal will not be tested too much.
LB- Daley Blind
Luke Shaw missed the Everton game with an injury, so Matteo Darmian got the start at left back. However, Darmian has not been particularly impressive at left back this season, so I think Mourinho will switch to Blind against Zorya.
CB- Marcos Rojo and Phil Jones
Eric Bailly is finally back from injury, but he may not be ready to go a full 90 minutes in time for Thursday’s game. If that is the case then Rojo and Jones should continue to start alongside each other at center back, since the duo has played very well together this season.
RB- Antonio Valencia
Valencia has really become a fantastic player for Manchester United this season, and he will continue to start every match when he is fit. He has the ability to both defend well, and provide support further up the field, which is a deadly combination to have from an outside back.
CM- Ander Herrera and Paul Pogba
Mourinho switched formations to a 4-3-3 against Everton, but I think he will switch back to a 4-2-3-1 on Thursday. If that’s the case then Herrera and Pogba will likely start, as both of them have been strong players for Mourinho’s side all season long.
AML- Anthony Martial
Martial got off to a slow start this season, but he has started to play much better in these past two games, scoring two goals with one assist. If Martial can finally regain his form from last season he should be in the lineup on a consistent basis.
AMC- Juan Mata
Zorya will likely play somewhat conservatively against Manchester United, so they could use the creativity of Juan Mata to break down their defense.
AMR- Henrikh Mkhitaryan
Like Martial, Mkhitaryan got off to a slow start this season, but now he seems to finally be starting to find his footing. Mkhitaryan has played well in the past few matches, and I expect him to continue to get starting playing time until his form drops.
ST- Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Zlatan has been in tremendous form, scoring 6 goals in his past 5 matches. He has not started in some of the Europa League matches so far this season, but now that he is in this type of form, it will be difficult to keep him out of the lineup.
(4-2-3-1)
Via – Lineup Builder
