da cassino： Things haven’t exactly clicked in the Premier League for Manchester United under Jose Mourinho.
da 888casino： The Red Devils are currently eighth in the table after winning only one of their last seven game. They have also failed to score in their last three league, with star striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic struggling in front of goal.
Things have looked slightly more promising in the Europa League, however. After recovering from an opening game loss to Feyenoord, United earned themselves back-to-back wins including a comfortable 4-1 victory over Fenerbahce.
At the start of the season, it looked at though Jose Mourinho was going to treat the Europa League as a secondary concern and perhaps use the competition to blood United’s youngsters or give playing time to the club’s rotation options.
With a number of established players currently under-performing, however, the boundaries between who is a first-team player and who is on the cusp are becoming blurred.
That leaves Mourinho with some real selection dilemmas ahead of Thursday’s clash. But here’s a look at the XI the Portuguese should pick to claim another win over the Turkish club.
GK – SERGIO ROMERO
Sergio Romero can count himself pretty unlucky not to have featured more in Europe this year.
The Argentine proved more than capable when called upon and manned United’s goal for their only clean sheet in the competition against Zorya.
Romero has done nothing to suggest he can’t handle himself as United’s second choice – perhaps Mourinho would be better off using him as United’s main European keeper, similar to David Ospina at Arsenal.
RB – TIMOTHY FOSU-MENSAH
With Antonio Valencia injured, the right-back spot is currently a battle between Matteo Darmian and Timothy Fosu-Mensah.
The Italian seems to be first-choice in the league after a solid performance against Burnley last weekend.
This should mean Fosu-Mensah gets a game against Fenerbahce on Thursday, although it may soon be a question of whether the young Dutchman should start outright – he was one of the top performers against Zorya and any playing time will be good for his development.
CB – CHRIS SMALLING
With Eric Bailly and Phil Jones out injured, Chris Smalling remains one of the club’s few fit centre-backs – although Mourinho might decide to rest him for the weekend.
The 26-year-old has been shaky in recent weeks but a game against opposition United have already comfortably defeated could be exactly what he needs to get his confidence back.
The centre-back’s ability in the air will also be important to counter the aerial threat from players like Martin Skrtel at set pieces.
CB – MARCUS ROJO
In terms of who should partner Smalling, it’s a straight shootout between Daley Blind and Marcus Rojo.
Although Blind has been the more consistent of the two, we’re going with Marcus Rojo for his ability in the air.
Fenerbahce have scored five goals from set-pieces so far this season and United will need tall players in the box to ensure they don’t concede from free-kicks or corners.
LB – DALEY BLIND
While we wouldn’t have Daley Blind at centre-half for this one, there is a place for him in our team.
With Luke Shaw just returning from injury it’s important to give him a rest wherever possible, so we’d save him for Sunday’s match against Swansea.
Blind has covered well in the 21-year-old’s absence and can be trusted to be responsible in defending the left-hand side.
CDM – MICHAEL CARRICK
Considering how well Michael Carrick can dictate the tempo of a game and control the midfield, it’s a wonder he hasn’t played more often.
The 35-year-old made a clear difference when he played against Fenerbahce, keeping things simple and allowing Pogba to roam forward.
Things may not be as easy away from home, but we’d still have him anchoring the midfield and letting the Frenchman wreak havoc further up the pitch.
CM – ANDER HERRERA
Considering how Fenerbahce’s threat from set-pieces has already been highlighted, you may be surprised to see Marouane Fellaini hasn’t been selected.
The last game between the two sides highlighted how important Carrick can be, but he needs someone more mobile beside him or the midfield will get overrun.
Ander Herrera has already shown this season how capable he is at winning the ball and retaining possession. The Spaniard is quickly becoming an indispensable player in the United team.
CM – PAUL POGBA
Paul Pogba was the standout player when the two sides met at Old Trafford.
The Frenchman scored two goals and put in a performance that showed why he could be worth his huge price-tag.
Rather than have the 23-year-old in the hole with Herrera and Carrick behind, it would be interested to see them all in a midfield three – with Pogba given the license to roam forward and experiment with his attacking capabilities.
RW- HENRIK MKHITARYAN
One of the more bewildering aspects of Mourinho’s reign is just why Henrik Mkhitaryan hasn’t been given a run in the side.
Despite costing the Red Devils £27m from Borussia Dortmund only this summer, the Armenian hasn’t been given more than 45 minutes to show what he can do.
The midfielder didn’t exactly set the world alight but that may have been because he was carrying an injury exacerbated on international duty.
Assuming he’s fit, a continental game is the perfect stage for Mkhitaryan to show what he can do.
LW – ANTHONY MARTIAL
Anthony Martial has been in and out the side so far this season but is arguably United’s most threatening attacker on his day.
The Frenchman has been inconsistent and struggled with injury so far but – as his goal against Stoke City showed – he has the quality to make things happen.
What the 20-year-old does need is game-time, to get himself back into the groove of things. Mourinho would be smart to give him at least an hour before bringing on someone like Memphis Depay.
ST: MARCUS RASHFORD
Just like Wayne Rooney, it may be worth Mourinho considering how long he needs to persevere with Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Like the Englishman, Ibrahimovic has been dropping too deep rather than leading the line, resulting in a third of his efforts coming from outside of the box. Even when he’s in the area, his finishing is letting him down.
Marcus Rashford, on the other hand, has the directness and composure United need from a striker. His attacking threat is wasted on the wing – it’s time for the 19-year-old to show what he is capable of up front.