Manchester United should use this lineup to topple Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League final | OneFootball

Manchester United have it all to play for when they take on Tottenham Hotspur in the UEFA Europa League final this Wednesday night.

While Tottenham have been almost equally as bad as Man United in the Premier League this season, it cannot be forgotten that Ruben Amorim’s side has fallen to three defeats to the team from North London across multiple competitions this season.

As a result, Amorim must select a rock-solid starting XI, filled with the most skilful, experienced, and reliable players he has at his disposal.

Wednesday night’s match could go one of two ways. Firstly, United could overcome their Premier League rivals to lift the Europa League trophy, gain qualification to next season’s Champions League, and earn Amorim his first trophy as United manager, ending a turbulent season on a high. On the other hand, defeat would spell disaster for United, with the club not only being trophyless but finishing the league season hovering above the relegation zone with no European football to look forward to in the next campaign.

Ultimately, there is no room for error in the Europa League final. If Amorim is to guide United to victory, he must select his strongest possible starting lineup.

Alex Browne, Red Billy, Derick Kinoti, Daniel Onguko, and Ayantan Chowdury have all revealed their ideal starting XI for the Europa League final. Here’s mine:

Goalkeeper: Andre Onana

Both Onana and Altay Bayindir have suffered a host of goalkeeping gaffes this season. While Onana is guilty of often playing out from the back and gifting the ball back to the opposition while also parrying shots that should arguably be caught, Bayindir has also been sloppy at times. In my view, while neither player truly deserves to be United’s first choice between the sticks, I would pick Onana simply because he has had more playing time this season. Bayindir’s lack of minutes could make it difficult for him to get his eye in, especially on such a momentous occasion with all of the pressure surrounding it. At least if Onana produces one of his better performances, he may be able to keep out the Tottenham attack long enough for United to take the lead.

Defenders: Matthijs De Ligt, Harry Maguire, and Leny Yoro

Despite De Ligt’s recent injury troubles, he has been one of the most consistent performers at the back for United. He has proven to be physically strong, a clean tackler, and decent at marking. Positionally, he is also conscientious, making him a certain pick.

Maguire is another name that proved to be a straightforward pick for me. While he has made numerous defensive errors this season, his form has improved drastically since Amorim’s arrival, and he has shown great physicality, tackling ability, and headers. One unexpected perk that Maguire brings is his attacking threat – in addition to scoring the winner against Lyon, he made a crucial cross from the wing to hand United a goal against Athletic Club, so he might just come in handy up top late in the game.

Finally, there’s Yoro. Another player who has faced some challenging injury setbacks, Yoro has integrated seamlessly into United’s defensive setup and brings energy, speed, and some decent passing to the mix. Together, this back three is a versatile bunch.

Midfielders: Luke Shaw, Kobbie Mainoo, Casemiro, Noussair Mazraoui

Given Diogo Dalot’s injury, Mazraoui seems like the best option at the right wing-back position in my view. He is not only more comfortable in defence than Amad Diallo, but he is a decent passer, knows how to deliver some threatening long balls, and even takes some dangerous shots from outside the box.

Casemiro has significantly picked up his form in recent Europa League games, and I for one would like to take advantage of his purple patch by starting him in the final. In addition to being a natural ball-winner who can shore up the defence, the Brazilian is also a dangerous poacher in the box, capable of scoring with both his head and his feet.

Alongside him, I would like to see Kobbie Mainoo. Another recent returnee from injury, Mainoo is a more attacking option who could complement Casemiro to ensure that the heart of United’s midfield is filled with both offensive and defensive promise.

While Patrick Dorgu has been a regular name on the teamsheet, he has proven inconsistent in recent times, struggling to make accurate passes and often unable to play an effective role in United’s attacking build-up. Shaw, on the other hand, has appeared sharp and made an instant impact upon returning to the side following his injury absence. What’s more, his big match experience will surely come in handy in a match such as this.

Attackers: Alejandro Garnacho, Mason Mount, Bruno Fernandes

Garnacho has all the energy, pace, and desire to mobilise United’s attack on the night. While his shooting isn’t always of the required level, the Argentine is an effective passer and dribbler who could certainly cause headaches for the Spurs’ defence.

During the games against Brentford and Athletic Club, Mount showed that he has plenty of flair, making him an ideal pick for the striker position. While he may not be a natural striker, Mount’s talent with the ball at his feet has far surpassed that of Rasmus Hojlund, who has shown an inability to beat defenders or be an effective passer of the ball. Of course, his shoddy goalscoring record does not help his case.

On the right is the ever-reliable Bruno Fernandes. Arguably United’s most crucial player, the skipper will have a key role in coordinating between United’s midfield and attack and will certainly have a role in creating some crucial goalscoring opportunities for his team.

While I have trouble leaving Amad Diallo out, I think he could prove to be an effective super sub, coming into the match later on and taking advantage of some tired legs with his pace.

Featured image by Justin Setterfield via Getty Images

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