Ruben Amorim needs three points against Viktoria Plzen on Thursday for a number of reasons.
Due to the format of this year’s Europa League campaign, Manchester United is now well-placed to skip a playoff round and head straight to the last 16—but only by winning the three remaining games in the league phase.
This is the case due to how terribly United started the European campaign – with Ruben Amorim’s win over Bodo/Glimt getting things back on track.
Head coach Ruben Amorim has his team in the Czech Republic this Thursday in order to take on the Viktoria Plzen in a game where they could see a win shoot United into the top eight – currently 12th. Following this, United rounded out the campaign against the Rangers and FCSB, making a win over Plzen of the utmost importance.
However, this is not the only reason United must win.
The Red Devils are on a two-game losing streak which can not become three this early into Amorim’s reign as the results need to matter for United. Due to this, we expect a strong team, here is how we have predicted the line-up.
Marcus Rashford of Manchester United celebrates scoring his teams third goal with team mate Casemiro of Manchester United during the Premier League...
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
How Manchester United will line-up vs Viktoria Plzen
In terms of squad selection, Amorim will be counting himself lucky with an almost entirely fit squad, as only Luke Shaw and Jonny Evans remain out. United’s 24-man travelling squad to the Czech Republic was very strong.
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Amorim is boosted by the returns of Toby Collyer and Victor Lindelof, however, do either make their first appearance under the 39-year-old on Thursday?
Here is how we predict the Red Devils will line-up.
Andre Onana
Starting in goal is sure to be Andre Onana, despite his struggles against Nottingham Forest. Onana was poor for United last time out and will be keen to make up for it, with no way in for Altay Bayindir.
Noussair Mazraoui
Forming the back three, we fully expect Noussair Mazraoui to start after being rested against Nottingham Forest. After an incredible start to life under Amorim, the Moroccan will hope to put himself above Leny Yoro in the pecking order.
Harry Maguire
Alongside Mazraoui, with Matthijs de Ligt in need of a rest, we would like to see Harry Maguire in from the start in the middle of the three.
Lisandro Martinez
On the left, we expect Lisandro Martinez to start, with no really other ideal fit in the squad and with the thinking that Lindelof won’t be ready to start. However, he needs to improve his performance amid links to Real Madrid.
Antony
With Amad Diallo being rested, it could fall on Antony to provide the attacking threat down the right side. The Brazilian is battling for his future and was excluded from the squad last weekend which means he needs a big performance here.
Casemiro
Casemiro could be back in the starting line-up on Thursday as Manuel Ugarte gets a rest ahead of Sunday’s Manchester Derby.
Kobbie Mainoo
Partnering with Casemiro ideally would be Collyer who has now returned, but we imagine he is not quite fit enough. So it will probably be Kobbie Mainoo who starts, but he will likely be withdrawn early.
Tyrell Malacia
On the left, Amorim has already confirmed Tyrell Malacia will start. So there is not much to predict here.
Bruno Fernandes
Mason Mount has so far failed to prove he deserves to start under Amorim and therefore Bruno Fernandes is likely to start yet again. Captain Fantastic is proving just as key to Amorim as he was to Erik ten Hag.
Marcus Rashford
On the left, Alejandro Garnacho has been in truly terrible form and so it is time that Marcus Rashford was instead chosen to start. Don’t forget he scored twice on his last start.
Joshua Zirkzee
Finally up front, despite Rasmus Hojlund scoring against Forest, it will be Joshua Zirkzee’s turn against Plzen as he looks to too to his goal tally two weeks after a brace for United.
Manchester United predicted XI vs Plzen
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