Manchester United will have a chance to put a foot into the Europa League semifinal when they will face Anderlecht in the quarter-final of the Champions League. It will be a tricky test for United as Mourinho has a number of absentees in his team and United haven’t been able to perform to their potential in this season.
Predicted 4-2-3-1 Manchester United Lineup Against Anderlecht
Defence
David De Gea continues to recover from his hip injury and Sergio Romero will continue in the United goal. The Argentine international has emerged as United’s keeper in Europe and will carry on the process in this match.
United is facing a dilemma over the selection of central defenders as both Chris Smalling and Phil Jones have been ruled out with injuries. Mourinho will have to deploy Marcos Rojo and Eric Bailly at the heart of the defence to keep the Anderlecht attackers at bay.
Luke Shaw has been criticised by Mourinho for a couple of times this season but he is expected to get a call-up to fill in the left back position. Shaw hasn’t played much but the Portuguese will be expecting some fireworks from him.
Antonio Valencia missed the last match but will make a comeback to the starting lineup.
Midfield
Jose Mourinho has tried a number of midfield combinations this season but he has to field the best midfielders at his disposal. Ander Herrera and Marouane Fellaini will try to dominate the midfield. Fellaini will use his physical presence and try to flex his muscle to win the midfield battle.
Paul Pogba will try to link the midfield with the attacking players and will have the license to ply around the park.
Attack
Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s transfer to United has been quite fascinating so far and the Armenian playmaker will have another chance to justify his price tag. It was Mkhitaryan’s whose goal against Rostov proved to be the decider as United made their way into the quarterfinal.
Marcus Rashford ended his goal drought against Sunderland and will be hoping to continue his scoring streak. The teenager has to improve his finishing and needs to be more clinical in front of the goal.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic has been the difference between Manchester United and other teams this term. The 35-year-old has defied his age and has found the target 28 times so far. The ex-Swedish international would be very keen to make his presence felt in the starting lineup.
