Manchester United v Olympique Lyonnais - UEFA Europa League 2024/25 Quarter Final Second Leg
Scholes is backing United to get the job done in Bilbao (Picture: Getty Images)
Paul Scholes insists Amad Diallo and Alejandro Garnacho must both start for Manchester United in the Europa League final against Tottenham.
United have endured a miserable 2024-25 Premier League campaign but have the chance to walk away with some silverware in Bilbao tonight – and secure qualification for Champions League next season.
While they have floundered domestically, Ruben Amorim’s side have shone in Europe, beating Real Sociedad, Lyon and Athletic Bilbao to reach the final.
United’s prospects were handed a major boost earlier this month with the return of Amad, who returned from an ankle injury that was initially thought to have ended his season.
The Ivorian, who has 10 goals and nine assists in 41 appearances this season, is pushing for a starting role at San Mames along with Garnacho, who was rested last week against Chelsea in United’s final game before the final.
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Amorim does have options for the two no10 roles behind the striker, including Bruno Fernandes, who has also taken up a deeper midfield role at times this season.
Mason Mount, who scored twice off the bench in United’s second-leg win over Athletic Club, is highly-thought of by Amorim while Joshua Zirkzee is also in contention after returning to training this week.
Manchester United FC v Southampton FC - Premier League
Amad and Garnacho are United’s best options, says Scholes (Picture: Getty Images)
But United legend Scholes believes the Amad-Garnacho partnership behind the striker is their best bet.
‘I would try and start Amad and Garnacho in the final because they’re United’s two biggest goal threats, along with Bruno Fernandes,’ Scholes wrote in his column for TNT Sports.
‘The best way might be to drop Fernandes back in the central midfield role alongside Casemiro, which has worked well in the past, especially in European games.
‘I think Amorim will start Hojlund in the final because he hasn’t been too bad in the Europa League. He’s looked like a real threat and scored some important goals, but in the Premier League, he’s been really poor.’
While Hojlund has six goals in 14 appearances in Europe this term, a return of four in 31 in the league has sparked major concerns over the Dane with former United captain Roy Keane targeting him with scathing criticism following the defeat at Chelsea last Friday.
Hojlund has struggled this season (Picture: Getty Images)
Amorim’s predecessor Erik ten Hag made the decision not to start Hojlund in the FA Cup final against Manchester City last season with United turning in a fine performance that day.
Should Amorim be tempted to do the same in Bilbao, Scholes believes Fernandes could be moved up top.
‘If Amorim wanted to change things up, he could play Bruno Fernandes as a false nine just like Ten Hag did in last season’s FA Cup final win over City.
‘I know he’s tried Kobbie Mainoo in that position too, but I don’t think he’s suited to it and Fernandes is a bit more mobile.’
‘With Fernandes playing as a false centre-forward, you could also start with Casemiro and Ugarte in central midfield. There are plenty of selection dilemmas for Amorim, but I just hope he gets it right. The problem is the manager doesn’t know what he’s going to get from most of his players on the day.’
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