Manchester United come up against La Liga side Sevilla in the Champions League knockout match second leg. The team drew 0-0 in the first leg and Jose will know that elimination is a real possibility unless United target an out and out win on the night.
Here is how they will expect to the line-up.
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Defence:
The goal will be marshalled by possibly the safest man in the world at the moment, David De Gea. The Spanish stopper has reached the pinnacle of his performance level and draws out top saves on a daily basis. He is by far the strongest player in the team and thanks to him, United can escape with such an average defence.
He pulled off some amazing saves in the last leg including a point-blank save which has kept his team in the match and United will need him once again to show up if they expect to progress to the next leg.
Ashley Young will be expected to line up at left back. He is not a natural defender but the experienced player has turned out to be one of Mourinho’s more trusted generals leading the side from the back in an unusual position.
Antonio Valencia will be expected to show up at right back and lead the side on an important night for the Red Devils. Eric Bailly who recently returned from a long-term injury will be expected to fill up one of the sports at centre back with his partner most likely to be the inconsistent Chris Smalling who will have to pull up his socks for this tie.
Midfield:
Paul Pogba missed last week’s match against Liverpool with a training ground injury. He still has not returned to practice and United could well be without their star midfielder for the match. They are already without Ander Herrera after losing him in the first leg last month. This would mean that Mourinho would have to switch from his three-man midfield to a two-man base. Nemanja Matic will be in charge and supported by young Scott McTominay.
Juan Mata is expected to play ahead of them in the number 10 role and will be the playmaker on the night.
Attack:
Romelu Lukaku has been stringing together a few impressive performances recently and will be expected to lead the line. He will be asked to work tirelessly once again and play in balls and win the long aerial duels for his team.
The left flank will be controlled by the misfiring Alexis Sanchez who will be desperate to get back to his prior form. Marcus Rashford will be expected to flank on the right after a heavily impressive performance against Liverpool.
