Manchester United are dipping their toes in this whole Thursday night, Europa League lark and seeing if it suits them.
Jose Mourinho was asked by reporters, on Wednesday, if he fancied winning the whole dang competition. He’s not even a game in but, sure, why not?
Mourinho will rest several of the players that have helped United to four wins from their opening five games and brought home a Community Shield along the way.
With that in mind, here is the starting XI we would like to see take to the field for the 6PM kick-off. That’s right – 6PM!
Goalkeeper
If we are making tweaks, we want a dependable soul backing the team up. David De Gea stays.
He has two clean sheets and has already played all 450 minutes this season. Go with what you know, especially if what you know is a flipping handy goalkeeper.
Defence
Matteo Darmian says he wants a chance. The Italian has not been given a sniff yet but now is a good, safe time to let him back up his training ground talk. He can cover both sides of the defence so we’re putting him in as left back.
On the opposite side, we are drafting in the pacy Timothy Fosu-Mensah, who impressed late last season [making 10 appearances] under Louis van Gaal. Shone on his debut against Arsenal so he knows all about taking chances when they are offered.
The Daley Blind centre-back experiment is over. For us anyway. Eric Bailly is retained but it is time for Chris Smalling to stake his claim as his long-term defensive partner.
Midfield
Centre midfield goes to the £89m man, Paul Pogba. He has now completed three full games so there’s no excuse for him not to be up to speed. He had a middling performance against Manchester City but, overall, his passing and interception stats have been positive. Some attacking verve wouldn’t go amiss though. That’s why we are pushing him up the field.
We are sticking with Marouane Fellaini alongside him. Mourinho loves having the big lads in there and the Franco-Belgian duo are only getting used to each other. He has been a nuisance to the opposition – breaking down attacks – and his passing has been tidy.
The defensive screen, to allow Fellaini and Pogba press when United have possession, is a man that has only had five minutes of Premier League action. Morgan Schneiderlin could still play a big role at the club but, first, he needs to prove he can be that midfield rock.
Forwards
The left wing we’ve have chosen is Memphis Depay. He has not got a run yet in the league but seems eager to prove himself under Mourinho. To do that, he will have to be a menace in attack but work his rear off when defending.
As he has showed in his substitute appearances, Marcus Rashford is ready for the highest level. His ability to take his opponent on and drive at defences has caused chaos for many sides during an impressive 2016.
Leading the line is Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Four goals in four league games, with another in the Community Shield, and a couple of outstanding, all-round performances thrown in for good measure. He is the target-man, with Depay and Rashford running off him.
Stephen Rochford chats with Colm Parkinson on The GAA Hour, heated Lee Keegan debate, and Barry Cahill is outnumbered by Mayo backers. Subscribe here on iTunes.
