Predicted XI: Hojlund to lead the line against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge? Fernandes in midfield? Amad & Garnacho to start? Youth on the bench?

Manchester United face Chelsea in the Premier League at Stamford Bridge on Friday evening – the penultimate Premier League match of the season. United sit in 16th place in the league ahead of kick off with Chelsea sitting in fifth place – a major difference between the two sides who face European finals over the next fortnight.

United face Tottenham Hotspur in the UEFA Europa League final in Bilbao in a week’s time with Chelsea preparing to face Real Betis in the UEFA Europa Conference League final in Wrocław in a fortnight. United have two league matches to find better form in the league this season with concentration on the Europa League final.

Chelsea have fallen short this season with them spending £1.5 billion in the last three years with nothing major to show for it. United have struggled in domestic competitions, being out of the league since November and exiting the Carabao Cup and Emirates FA Cup – but sitting undefeated in the Europa League this season.

Predicted Manchester United Starting XI – 3-4-2-1

Bayindir;

Lindelof, Maguire, Shaw;

Mazraoui, Ugarte, Fernandes, Dorgu;

Amad, Garnacho;

Hojlund

Goalkeeper: Bayindir

Altay Bayindir should start against Chelsea to give Andre Onana another match rest so he can be fully rested for the UEFA Europa League final against Tottenham Hotspur in a week’s time in Bilbao. United won’t finish much higher in the Premier League this season and the relegations have already been decided.

This means that United finishing in the bottom half of the table can be the talk all summer based on the damage the Glazers have done to the club in their 20 years of ownership. It is well and truly time for them to get out of Manchester and learn a lesson about destroying things many have passion for just to line their pockets.

Bayindr does not have the experience to be the number one goalkeeper for United, despite looking positive n occasion. However, playing him could get him in the shop window for a transfer away from the club in the summer. United just need to lift the UEFA Europa League trophy next week to end a bad season.

Defenders: Lindelof, Maguire, Shaw

United’s defence have some major injuries with the Europa League final on the horizon. It has been confirmed that neither Leny Yoro or Matthijs de Ligt will feature against Chelsea this week to give them a chance to find fitness ahead of the Europa League final in Bailbal in a week’s time. United need to have strength in defence for that.

Victor Lindelof, Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw could start in the back three against Chelsea and still provide something given the experience that the trio have in the Premier League, let alone European and International football. United could have a better back line but this is the best possible trio for the Chelsea match.

Ruben Amorim could have youth on the bench with Harry Amass, Tyler Fredricson and even Jaydan Kamason on the bench with a view to getting some important minutes on the pitch in the Premier League before the end of the season. United have two matches to play after this, not to mention the friendlies in Asia in a few weeks.

Midfield: Mazraoui, Ugarte, Fernandes, Dorgu

The United midfield will require some tweaking ahead of the Europa League final with United needing to rest some players plus keep others fresh for the biggest match of United’s season. Noussair Mazraoui could return to the right side of the midfield four with Patrick Dorgu playing on the left side in the wing back positions.

In the centre of the midfield, Manuel Ugarte and Bruno Fernandes could partner with the Uruguayan doing all the defensive work and the Portuguese midfielder linking the midfield with the attack, providing some good balls to the likes of Amad, Alejandro Garnacho and Rasmus Hojlund. United need a good result in the Premier League.

United could have a few senior players on the bench for this match with Mason Mount, Christian Eriksen and Casemiro all looking to get on the pitch at some point to remain fresh for the clash with Spurs in Bilbao next week. Or Amorim could rest all or some other these players, putting more youth on the bench on Friday evening.

Attack: Amad, Hojlund, Garnacho

United’s attacking line has not been the best this season and the current form in the Premier League is the worst this era has seen with United finishing eighth last season, a low at the time but in 16th at this time and they could finish 17th. United need to find some answers from the attacking players ahead of a busy summer transfer window.

Rasmus Hojlund is expected to lead the line for United, given his turbulent form. There are few other options other than playing another player out of position or utilising Chido Obi, whose raw talent could be on show at Stamford Bridge – however, that seems unlikely as it could stutter his growth in his position.

Supporting Hojlund could be Amad, who has returned from injury in the last month and has already shown his ability to bang them in for United, which has been a loss for the club this season with his injury, and Alejandro Garnacho, who is also doing well in the attacking ranks with 21 goal contributions in all competition this season.

Substitutes: Heaton; Amass, Fredricson, Kamason; Mount, Eriksen, Casemiro, Mainoo; Obi

United will have nine players on the bench in the Premier League this season with Tom Heaton set to deputise Bayindir in goal for the club with Onana rested for the Europa League final in a week’s time. Amorim will have to add some youth to the bench in areas to keep the squad strong for the foreseeable future.

In defence, Harry Amass, Tyler Fredricson and Jaydan Kamason could all find themselves in the squad, which would be great for them and their growth so they can bridge the gap between U21 and first team football, whether at United or elsewhere in the not too distant future. This is what United is all about. Youth – Courage – Success.

In the midfield, Mason Mount, Christian Eriksen and Casemiro could all be utilised with them needing rest ahead of the Europa League final next week. In attack, with no other options for United, Chido Obi could once again find some involvement, if not to just give him something to work for after his transfer from Arsenal last summer.

Written by Paul