Manchester United will look to get back to winning ways and fast if they are to have any slim chances of qualifying for the Champions League next season. While Europa League remains a realistic option for the Red Devils to get a ticket among the European elites next season, it is always a doubtful prospect.
And given the rate at which Manchester United players are getting injured, Jose Mourinho would soon have to call the academy products to fill in the places. United have some very difficult opponents to deal in their remaining five fixtures. After a positive first half at the Etihad Stadium, which saw Mourinho’s men countering City’s pressure, Mourinho decided totally against it as we saw the Portuguese resorting to his famous parking the bus setup.
It more or less summarises United’s strength at the moment. With little strength, up front and a thinning midfield, all United can do now is sit back and defend and their back line is unlikely to come to test against their next opponent, Swansea City.
Strongest Manchester United Lineup vs Swansea City
Defence
David De Gea will continue to take his place under the bar. The Spaniard had a busy game against Manchester City in the midweek that saw their arch rivals attacking incessantly throughout the game without any real penetration. He is understood to be sure departure at the end of the season with numerous clubs willing to land him.
Mourinho is not changing his defence after the brilliant performance in the last game. The defensive flanks will be taken by Matteo Darmian and Antonio Valencia. Defending the likes of Leroy Sane and Raheem Sterling was a tough job and the duo was up for the task. Although Sigurdsson and Ayew are a level lower for sure, they cannot allow any lapse in concentration.
The central defence will be taken by Eric Bailly and Daley Blind. After the injury to Marcos Rojo, the Dutch enforcer has taken on the role effectively.
Midfield
The three-man midfield will be yet another problem for Mourinho now as his towering central midfielder will serve a one-match suspension after his theatrics with Sergio Aguero that saw him red-carded in the second half.
And with Paul Pogba also a doubt for the game with a hamstring, Mourinho is left with just Michael Carrick and Ander Herrera as feasible options in that position. Although Pogba has a high chance of returning, we expect the young Timothy Fosu-Mensah to get a chance.
Attack
The attack has been extremely thinned for United after the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Juan Mata out with injuries. Anthony Martial and Henrikh Mkhitaryan should take on the flanks wth Marcus Rashford spearheading the attack.
