Manchester United lost their first Europa League group stage game against Feyenoord two weeks ago, so it is imperative that they win at home on Thursday against Zorya in their second Europa League match.
With that in mind I expect Mourinho to put out a very strong lineup on Thursday, despite an important EPL match against Stoke City looming on Sunday.
GK- David de Gea
De Gea is clearly the number one goalkeeper, and fatigue shouldn’t be a major concern at this position, so there is no reason for him not to play on Thursday.
LB- Daley Blind
Luke Shaw may still not be 100% for this game, and Blind looked very good at this position against Leicester City, as he was able to tally 2 assists. Even if Shaw is healthy, Manchester United might be better off with Blind at left back.
CB- Chris Smalling and Eric Bailly
This duo did well together against Leicester City over the weekend, and if Blind stays at left back it is very likely that Bailly and Smalling will be the starting center backs once again on Thursday.
RB- Antonio Valencia
Valencia is certainly Mourinho’s best option at right back, so he will be in the starting lineup on Thursday, unless Jose decides to give Valencia some rest ahead of the EPL fixture this weekend.
CM- Paul Pogba and Marouane Fellaini
Pogba scored a goal and had 3 key passes against Leicester City on Saturday, and he will look to build on that performance in this game. Herrera started and did well against Leicester, but Fellaini has also had a good start to the season, so I could see Mourinho putting him back in the lineup.
AML- Juan Mata
Mata was marvelous as the #10 on Saturday, but he may play as a left attacking midfielder on Thursday. If Anthony Martial is able to recover from his calf injury in time for this game then he could start at this position, and Mata could start elsewhere.
AMC- Wayne Rooney
Yes, Rooney has been in horrible form, but the only way for him to snap out of his funk is to play. If Rooney is going to get any playing time at all, it would probably be in cup matches rather than in the EPL.
AMR- Jesse Lingard
Lingard played well over the weekend and he recorded an assist. He deserves to keep his spot in the starting XI until Martial and Mkhitaryan return from injury.
ST- Marcus Rashford
Zlatan is pretty old for a soccer player, so it would not surprise me to see him rested for the EPL game against Stoke on Sunday. Rashford has been in great form, so putting him in the lineup instead of Zlatan is not much of a downgrade anyway.
(4-2-3-1)
Via – Lineup Builder
