Manchester United's task of turning over Club Brugge in the Europa League last 32 re-commences at Old Trafford on Thursday night.
It's an entirely different task to the one their city rivals embarked on 24 hours prior in the Champions League, mind you, but it's a task nonetheless. United have a job to do on Thursday nights for the remainder of the season, and winning this competition will go a long way to making their season look a whole lot better than it has been on the whole.
Brugge visit Old Trafford having held United to a 1-1 draw last week, but the hosts are expected to progress. Expected. Expected. But expectation meeting reality is not what this United team are about at the moment.
Here's the XI Ole Gunnar Solskjaer should pick to get by, with Everton waiting in the wings on Sunday.
GK: Sergio Romero
A Europa League night means Sergio Romero should remain between the sticks, taking David de Gea's place.
He's always done a good job whenever called upon. Fingers crossed there's no clanger to follow the compliment.
RB: Diogo Dalot
The Portuguese youngster has struggled with injury since arriving at Old Trafford in 2018, but is now fully fit and needs more game time.
It's tended to come in the cups and he featured in the first leg last week, so this could be another good opportunity to give Aaron Wan-Bissaka a rest. Having a fully fit Dalot as an option to cover either full-back position or a potential right-wing role in the final months of the season would be a plus
CB: Eric Bailly
United fans were reminded of just how box office Eric Bailly is during his appearance in the win at Chelsea last week. Feigns and dummies in your own box? Give over, love that.
He picked up a knock in that game and has missed the fixtures since, so more minutes in the legs here seems a sound plan.
CB: Harry Maguire
Slabhead is United's new skipper, and it tends to be the case that he plays whenever he's fit, no matter the competition. Don't expect that to change.
LB: Luke Shaw
Brandon Williams h
CM: Scott McTominay
The Sauceman made his return to action off the bench on Sunday against Watford, and his energy and desire will be a massive boost to United through until the end of the season. Giving him the better part of 60 minutes here, from the start, will stand him in good stead.
It'll also help United set the tone. McTominay has been fast assuming a leadership role in the United midfield.
CM: Nemanja Matic
Even with McTominay's return, United don't really have the luxury of resting their deeper lying midfielders too often, given the lack of options available following player sales and a mystery Paul Pogba injury.
Matic's form has really picked up since the back end of last year, and his experience here will go a long way. Proposing McTominay and Fred would be the strongest options to start in midfield in their next fixture after this, Matic should be picked here.
RW: Mason Greenwood
Mason Greenwood is destined for big things, and hit another goal - his 11th of the season - against Watford on Sunday. He's scored plenty in the Europa League this year and giving him the chance from the start against Brugge is best practice.
Build up that confidence.
AM: Bruno Fernandes
United were so much better in Belgium following Bruno Fernandes' introduction from the bench.
While you'd want to keep him fresh for the game on Merseyside, it's also in United's best interests that they get this tie over with as soon as they possibly can, rather than running the risk of being dragged into some late drama (extra time and penalties are possible here, remember) with a weaker starting team.
Start Bruno, score early, close it out. Sounds like a plan.
LW: Jesse Lingard
Jesse Lingard needs a break.
Jesse Lingard needs a performance, needs an assist, needs a goal. He's playing for his United career here, and it'll be interesting to see how he fares if he lines up alongside someone like Bruno Fernandes, rather than instead of him.
ST: Odion Ighalo
It seems the right time to start the man who spent years dreaming of turning out for Manchester United at Old Trafford.
Odion Ighalo has not hidden his excitement at getting the chance to join United, and after a fe substitute appearances it's worth plugging him in to a starting spot as the focal point of the front line.
Anthony Martial might well start, but Ighalo was brought in to give the Frenchman a rest. With Bruno behind him, it might be the right time and opposition to see how it goes.
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Source : 90min