It’s the second leg of Manchester United’s Europa League tie on Thursday night when the Red Devils face Anderlecht in the quarter-final round. Phil Jones, Juan Mata and Chris Smalling remain unavailable for selection as all three are out with long term injuries. Wayne Rooney could make his return tomorrow night from a long layoff due to an ankle injury.
Mourinho said last week that Jones and Smalling are likely to remain unavailable until “mid-May” while Juan Mata’s return date is estimated to be even later following his recent groin surgery. The boss may provide another update on his squad during the pre-match press conference on Wednesday afternoon.
In the away leg last week, United let a potential 1-0 win slip away in the final minutes, and they had to settle for a 1-1 draw in Brussels.
Match Odds:
United- 1/4 Draw- 5/1 Anderlecht 11/1 (via Paddy Power)
Here is the link to our starting XI prediction
Prediction: Manchester United 2, Anderlecht 0
United are coming off the best performance and biggest win of the Mourinho era. Sorry EFL Cup final, but you know it’s true. Was a virus plaguing Chelsea on Easter, and was that bug enough to hold the Blues back?
I guess we’ll never really know for sure, but what we do know is that Mourinho was masterclass with his tactics on Sunday. Afterward he explained how he pulled it off. He called it a special victory over a special opponent.
United remains on the outside looking in for top four, and thus, winning the UEL is the most practical path back into Europe’s real tournament. However, their chances are looking much better after the huge triumph last weekend.
Still United have a 1-1 coming home so they should, and likely will, take care of business here.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net and TheBank.News, partnered with FOX Sports Engage Network. and News Now. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times and NBC Chicago.com, contributes to Chicago Tribune.com, Bold, WGN CLTV and KOZN.
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