Manchester United return to UEFA Europa League action on Thursday evening at Old Trafford knowing that if they play in the manner they did against Newcastle United on Sunday, they will be out of the European competition this season and not likely to play in Europe again until the season after next.
United were defeated by Newcastle in a 4-1 humiliation, despite coming back from 1-0 down to level at 1-1 eight minutes before the end of the first half. United then conceded another goal four minutes into the second half, shipping two more before the end of the match. A humiliation at the wee club in the North East.
Lyon returned to winning ways against Auxerre at the weekend, winning 3-1 after the 2-2 draw against United last week, which places this Europa League showdown at the Theatre of Dreams on Thursday evening with United needing to pull a result out of the bag so they reach the semi finals stage of the competition this season.
Predicted Manchester United Starting XI – 3-4-2-1
Onana;
Mazraoui, Maguire, Yoro;
Dalot, Ugarte, Casemiro, Dorgu;
Fernandes, Garnacho;
Hojlund
Goalkeeper: Onana
Andre Onana has conceded 139 goals for United since signing for the club in the summer of 2023. That is a massive number of goals that United have conceded and it would suggest that the Cameroonian could be on to pastures new in the summer with some interest from European clubs, and beyond ahead of the summer.
Altay Bayindir replaced Onana against Newcastle on Sunday – conceding four goals himself in a 4-1 defeat to the North East club. United need a decent goalkeeper to guide the forward into the future of the club and it seems that neither Onana or Bayindir will be the players to achieve that going forward.
On the bench, United could have both Bayindir and Tom Heaton to turn to is a change is needed. United owe it to the fans for their patience over the last few seasons with the club not really achieving anything. Actually, the last decade has been problematic despite a number of trophy wins bu the club. United fans deserve much better.
Defenders: Mazraoui, Maguire, Yoro
United’s defence will need to be much tougher against Lyon than they were against Newcastle on Sunday! Noussair Mazraoui should be starting on the right of the defensive three with Harry Maguire in the centre of the defence and Leny Yoro playing on the left side of the defensive three. This should add both height and experience.
Ruben Amorim will need to get the right structure sorted on the pitch for these players to be able to thrive in the system that has been brought to the club. United have a good squad of players but they need to find their feet and get performing to the standards that have been set for them – that is the problem across the squad.
On the bench, United will have the likes of Victor Lindelof, Luke Shaw, Ayden Heaven and Harry Amass to bring on should they require some additional players to grind out this match – which United must win to earn a place in the semi finals of the UEFA Europa League this season and to have a chance of playing in Europa next season.
Midfield: Dalot, Ugarte, Casemiro, Dorgu
The United midfield will have to add quality where it is lacking in other areas of the pitch this season. Diogo dalot and Patrick Dorgu should be starting in the wing back roles giving United some width on the attack and some extra defensive players when Lyon are on the attack. United really need to be ready for this clash as it is important.
In the centre of the midfield Manuel Ugarte and Casemiro should partner based on the level of experience and ability that they have. The duo seemingly have a good partnership on the pitch – both being South American. United will have a number of other options on the bench, namely youth players seeking a chance – which is good.
The likes of Mason Mount, Christian Eriksen and Kobbie Mainoo add some experience to the squad but coupled with Jack Fletcher and James Scanlon it adds some unknown quality with them both excelling at youth level and needing a good opportunity in first team football. United could gain something from this match.
Attack: Fernandes, Hojlund, Garnacho
United’s attacking line is at its bare bones at this stage of the season and the immense lack of quality is a major problem with United not looking like they could hit a barn door in Gullivers World. Joshua Zirkzee is out of action, possibly for the remainder of the season with it also unlikely that youth attacking players will be added.
Bruno Fernandes and Alejandro Garnacho should both play a supportive role to the striker with both players having scored more than 10 goals this season – Garnacho is on ten and Fernandes is on 16 – which is a great achievement considering the lack of talent across the entire squad. This needs to change. Especially in attack.
Rasmus Hojlund looks set to lead the line again but his form will need to change. He has been largely terrible this season after finishing last season as the clubs top scorer. This season he has just eight goals in all competitions, which is half the rate he ended last season with. He needs to find his scoring boots and fast!
Substitutes: Bayindir, Heaton; Lindelof, Shaw, Heaven, Amass; Mount, Eriksen, Mainoo, Fletcher, Scanlon
United can name a maximum of 12 substitutes on the bench in the UEFA Europa League – with it being a home match, this is likely. Altay Bayindir and Tom Heaton could both be on the bench in the goalkeeper role to make the squad for this match bigger, despite the fact neither could be used against Lyon.
In defence, Victor Lindelof, Luke Shaw, Ayden Heaven and Harry Amass could all be available with United needing other options, especially in the defence this season. In midfield, Mason Mount, Christian Eriksen, Kobbie Mainoo, Jack Fletcher and James Scanlon could all be involved in the squad.
United may not have any attacking players on the bench due to a mixture of injury and the fact United loaned players out and did not bring in any replacements. Added to that, Chido Obi is not eligible to feature in this competition having not been registered as an A List player – which was a big mistake.
Written by Paul
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2025-04-15 23:00:00
