The ideal Manchester United XI to start Europa League final against Tottenham Hotspur | OneFootball

Manchester United’s disastrous campaign has been kept on life support by the prospect of ending the season with European silverware, in the shape of the Europa League.

Whilst it’s not Europe’s premier club competition and not where United fans feel the club should competing, there is no doubting the importance of Wednesday’s final in Bilbao against domestic rivals Tottenham Hotspur.

Should United win the trophy, a ticket to next year’s Champions League comes with it and makes Ruben Amorim’s summer rebuild a whole lot easier given the financial reward that comes with dining at Europe’s top table.

Team selection is going to be key for Amorim and with players returning to fitness, the Portuguese head coach does have some decisions to make.

With that in mind, here is my selection for the showpiece occasion against Spurs:

GOALKEEPER – Andre Onana.

From the sublime to the ridiculous, at times, Onana hasn’t enjoyed his finest campaign and there are major doubts as to his suitability for United’s goalkeeping role long term, but it would be a major shock to see the Cameroonian dropped for the biggest game of the season.

Whilst error prone, Onana carries huge experience and has shown he can perform at the highest level, most notably the Champions League final against Manchester City in 2023. Onana has the personality to cope with a huge occasion but Amorim will be hoping for a night of control from his number one.

CENTRE BACKS – Leny Yoro, Harry Maguire, Noussair Mazraoui.

Yoro is simply the best defender United have. His confidence on the ball has been key to his progress this season and his forays forward have been impressive, a quality only he possesses in Amorim’s back line – a must to start, if fit. Luke Shaw the obvious replacement if Yoro doesn’t make it.

Harry Maguire has improved under Amorim and carries a big threat in the opposition penalty area. With so many finals won on set pieces, Maguire has a punter’s chance of getting a goal and will go into the game with confidence after some recent eye catching moments. He will also fancy the physical battle with Solanke.

Noussair Mazraoui is much better in the right centre-back role than at wing back. Comfortable in the position as he admits himself and has enjoyed a decent first season at Old Trafford. Solid if unspectacular but starter on Wednesday, for me.

WING BACKS – Patrick Dorgu, Amad.

Dorgu has been up and down since his January arrival but is the most natural wing back in the squad and does have the energy to provide a threat going forward as well completing his defensive work.

Amad is one of the few plus points of the season. He might have been on course to battle Bruno Fernandes for the Player of the Year award until his injury. The Ivorian is at his best when running at defenders, the wing back role allows him to pick the ball up deeper than the attacking players and front up opponents, putting them on the back foot and giving him the space to produce his wizardry.

MIDFIELDERS – Casemiro, Manuel Ugarte.

Casemiro in a European final is must. The Brazilian’s experience means he is an absolute no-brainer for the starting XI and his form has been solid in recent months, getting back to fitness and showing his class. He is also a threat from set pieces.

Manuel Ugarte is where it starts to get tricky for me. I just feel his energy and bite will be required in the middle of the park and it allows me to get Bruno Fernandes closer to the Tottenham goal. However, he would be my first substitution of the night if things pan out as expected.

FORWARDS – Bruno Fernandes, Rasmus Hojlund, Alejandro Garnacho.

Bruno speaks for himself, another POTY award, another stellar season. I would start the captain here with the option of bringing him deeper if the game requires. Bruno is our best maker and taker of chances, therefore having him as high up the pitch as possible makes logical sense to me – if only football was a logical game!

I’ve tried everything in my power to leave Hojlund out but Amorim has experimented with other options, none of which have worked either. It goes without saying the form of the Dane should not grant him a place in a European final but he knows the position, the other players in the team are used to him up there and that’s about as positive as I can be about our central striker right now. Oh, he does have a goal to his name against Spurs, hat-trick incoming!

Mason Mount is unlucky to miss out but Garnacho does carry a threat in behind and regularly finds himself in goal scoring positions. Whether he has the composure to take his chances is another story but I feel he is better from the right as it negates his option to cut in and wildly swing at goal with his right foot. He has previous with his FA Cup final opener last season, too.

Despite my picks, I feel the game will be won off the bench in one way or the other and I believe United’s options will be stronger than Tottenham’s on the night, which will lead to the the barbeque being well and truly lit up at Carrington upon the Red’s return.

Featured image Stu Forster via Getty Images

Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social