.png)
7 hours ago
4 Manchester United are bracing themselves for their first taste of Europa League action of the calendar year when they host Rangers at Old Trafford this evening.
Tonight’s 8pm kick-off, dubbed as the ‘Battle of Britain’ by TNT Sports, is a relatively must-win tie to not only bounce back from last Sunday’s dismal defeat but also maintain a spot in the automatic advancement places; the Reds rank seventh and cannot drop below eighth, which Rangers occupy.
The mood around United has been one of despair in the aftermath of their 3-1 defeat to Brighton and Hove Albion. They now sit 13th in the Premier League table and a whopping 14 points adrift of the Champions League places, meaning their only remaining hope of qualifying for next season’s UCL campaign is by reigning victorious in Europa this term.
United’s team news vs Rangers
Amorim will be demanding a vast improvement from Sunday’s substandard showing. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)In terms of the personnel Ruben Amorim is working with, his options are no different to that of the last outing, with Mason Mount, Luke Shaw and Jonny Evans all unavailable. Victor Lindelof has returned to team training, but tonight’s clash will presumably come too soon for him to feature. The Swede is also now in the final five months of his United contract, so he’ll pull the curtain on his eight-year United career when he’s released in June.
Predicted starting XI
Bayindir;
Against the Seagulls, Andre Onana added another howler to his lengthy catalogue of costly mistakes when gifting the visitors their third goal. His form has faltered on numerous occasions this campaign, and with Altay Bayindir likely still riding the high of his stellar showing at the Emirates, where he saved two penalties, there’s no harm in giving him a chance between the sticks.
De Ligt, Maguire, Martinez;
Leny Yoro was deployed from the off in the last two league fixtures and has – understandably – struggled. He was run ragged by Southampton’s Kamaldeen Sulemana a week ago and again floundered when up against Brighton’s relentless frontline. His game time needs to be managed while he adjusts to the setup, so a more experienced backline should start.
Dalot, Ugarte, Mainoo, Malacia;
Diogo Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui have been far from their best as of late, which should encourage Amorim to give Tyrell Malacia the nod in place of one fullback.
Amad, Fernandes;
Self-explanatory.
Zirkzee
Joshua Zirkzee offers considerably more off-the-ball than his counterpart Rasmus Hojlund and is deserving of being included from the off.
