The Peoples Person

Over the last few days, The Peoples Person has been running a series in which each writer has chosen their preferred starting XI for tonight’s vital Europa League final.

Now is the time for our predicted XI – the team we believe Ruben Amorim will select for the game.

It’s a tricky one to predict, with a flurry of injured players returning back to training yesterday who could make the squad, if not the starting XI, for the game.

Leny Yoro, Diogo Dalot and Josh Zirkzee were all spotted back with the first XI in open training. Jonny Evans, too, was involved in the session.

Defence

Of the four, Yoro seems the most likely to make the starting XI, having only missed one game for the Red Devils since picking up a foot injury. Victor Lindelof will probably return to the bench.

Matthijs de Ligt was also spotted in individual training and will travel, but he is reportedly unlikely to be in the squad.

Lisandro Martinez is the only player left on the treatment table.

It’s possible Amorim will also throw Dalot straight into his side, as he has been one of his most trusted lieutenants at United. We really cannot tell his fitness level but we’re predicting that if it’s feasible, he will start at right wing back.

Other options, such as Patrick Dorgu, would be a gamble in their own right as it is hard to say whether in a big final a youngster will freeze or rise to the occasion.

With Yoro fit, Luke Shaw may get the nod at left wing back, also ahead of Dorgu. It would be tough on the Dane, but Shaw’s experience could be vital in a huge game such as this.

It seems almost certain that the wing backs will be two of those three. Amad is also an option but we suspect he will play higher up the pitch.

Midfield and Attack

In central midfield, a rejuvenated Casemiro will almost certainly start. The question is who will play alongside him? The choice is likely to be between Manu Ugarte and Bruno Fernandes, although Kobbie Mainoo, Christian Eriksen and Toby Collyer are all fit and available.

It seems likely that Amorim will start with Alejandro Garnacho and Amad in the twin 10 roles, so the big issue is whether Rasmus Hojlund will keep his place at centre forward despite his awful form.

Playing Ugarte alongside Casemiro would allow Fernandes to replace Hojlund and play as a false nine. If Hojlund plays, Fernandes will likely be in midfield alongside the Brazilian, with Ugarte missing out.

Mason Mount is also in with a chance of starting, having been electric in the semi-final against Athletic Club. Zirkzee, too, could be a surprise inclusion but is more likely to start on the bench.

Andre Onana will, of course, be in goal.

With all that said, here is our predicted starting XI for tonight’s historic match:

Featured image Shaun Botterill via Getty Images

Manchester United could reportedly see their potential £100 million windfall, should they beat Tottenham Hotspur in the upcoming Europa League final, disappear as soon as it arrives.

United are set to take on Tottenham at San Mames on Wednesday in an all-or-nothing final and the stakes could not be higher.

Both sides have endured extremely miserable Premier League seasons that currently have them languishing in 16th and 17th place, respectively. United have suffered 18 top-flight losses this term while Tottenham have tasted defeat on 21 occasions.

However, the two strugglers have a silver bullet in the form of the Europa League. Winning the final would not only secure the victors a European trophy, but also secure them a place in next term’s Champions League. The latter is thought to be worth at least £100m.

Football finance expert Kieran Maguire recently spoke about this, explaining, “Financially, it’s the most important match in the club’s history. Champions League participation is crucial, because it could generate over £100m from tickets, broadcast money, and sponsor bonuses.”

However, the Daily Mail report that the Red Devils could kiss that £100m jackpot goodbye just as soon as they receive it.

According to the newspaper, this is because United are on track to lose the same amount this financial year, with the club expected to announce a third-quarter loss of £40m in the coming weeks.

The Mail add, “The forecast, based on a consensus of Wall Street analysts which is usually on the money, highlights the problems United face in trying to become a profitable business again while weighed down by interest payments on the Glazer debt.”

“Although the club is set to generate up to £160m this year from day-to-day activities, it means there will still be a sixth consecutive year of losses, totalling £450m.”

In September, United reported a net loss of £113.2m in the year to 30 June. This followed deficits of £28.7m in 2022/23 and £115.5m in 2021/22.

As it stands, United’s total losses over the past five years amount to over £370m.

United generate hundreds of millions in revenue each year, but the club remains over £1 billion in debt due to the leveraged takeover by majority owners, the Glazer family, in 2005 – a burden that costs tens of millions annually to service.

Featured image Christopher Furlong via Getty Images

Manchester United’s opponents in the Europa League final, Tottenham Hotspur, have announced their travelling squad.

The Red Devils will leave for Bilbao later today but Spurs left yesterday to begin their preparations for the final.

United sealed their place in the showpiece event with a 7-1 win over Athletic Club, including a 3-0 away victory in the same San Mames stadium where the final will take place.

Spurs defeated Norwegian champions Bodo/Glimt to secure their progress to the cup final.

The Manchester Evening News reports that Spurs have announced their 21 man squad list that have travelled to the Basque country.

Probably the biggest shock is the inclusion of James Maddison, who was spotted getting on the team bus. Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou had previously claimed the player was out until July, but he was seen boarding with the other players.

Nonetheless, it seems unlikely that the England midfielder would play a role in the match considering the severity of his injury.

The Lilywhites still have some other major players missing as Sweden international, Lucas Bergvall, was not named amongst the squad members due to his season-ending injury.

What’s more, Spurs attacker Dejan Kulusevski has also missed out from travelling due to his recent patella surgery.

There is one more player left at home as Radu Drăgușin has not recovered in time from his anterior cruciate ligament injury to make the squad.

Tottenham did receive some good news however, as Pape Sarr has made the trip despite picking up an injury on Friday night against Aston Villa in the league.

Nonetheless, due to the knock, his involvement in the game may also be doubtful.

Spurs captain Son Heung-Min has also been able to make the trip but his ability to play 90 minutes or longer will be in doubt as he has only just recovered from a foot injury.

The South Korean has not played a full 90 minutes since the beginning of April against Chelsea. Nonetheless, he did manage 74 minutes against Villa last time out, so is likely to start the match, even if he can’t complete the entire 90.

United will announce their squad later today and are hoping the likes of Leny Yoro, Matthijs de Ligt, Diogo Dalot and Joshua Zirkzee can all win their race against time to be involved in the huge final.

Manchester United have it all to play for when they take on Tottenham Hotspur in the UEFA Europa League final this Wednesday night.

While Tottenham have been almost equally as bad as Man United in the Premier League this season, it cannot be forgotten that Ruben Amorim’s side has fallen to three defeats to the team from North London across multiple competitions this season.

As a result, Amorim must select a rock-solid starting XI, filled with the most skilful, experienced, and reliable players he has at his disposal.

Wednesday night’s match could go one of two ways. Firstly, United could overcome their Premier League rivals to lift the Europa League trophy, gain qualification to next season’s Champions League, and earn Amorim his first trophy as United manager, ending a turbulent season on a high. On the other hand, defeat would spell disaster for United, with the club not only being trophyless but finishing the league season hovering above the relegation zone with no European football to look forward to in the next campaign.

Ultimately, there is no room for error in the Europa League final. If Amorim is to guide United to victory, he must select his strongest possible starting lineup.

Alex Browne, Red Billy, Derick Kinoti, Daniel Onguko, and Ayantan Chowdury have all revealed their ideal starting XI for the Europa League final. Here’s mine:

Goalkeeper: Andre Onana

Both Onana and Altay Bayindir have suffered a host of goalkeeping gaffes this season. While Onana is guilty of often playing out from the back and gifting the ball back to the opposition while also parrying shots that should arguably be caught, Bayindir has also been sloppy at times. In my view, while neither player truly deserves to be United’s first choice between the sticks, I would pick Onana simply because he has had more playing time this season. Bayindir’s lack of minutes could make it difficult for him to get his eye in, especially on such a momentous occasion with all of the pressure surrounding it. At least if Onana produces one of his better performances, he may be able to keep out the Tottenham attack long enough for United to take the lead.

Defenders: Matthijs De Ligt, Harry Maguire, and Leny Yoro

Despite De Ligt’s recent injury troubles, he has been one of the most consistent performers at the back for United. He has proven to be physically strong, a clean tackler, and decent at marking. Positionally, he is also conscientious, making him a certain pick.

Maguire is another name that proved to be a straightforward pick for me. While he has made numerous defensive errors this season, his form has improved drastically since Amorim’s arrival, and he has shown great physicality, tackling ability, and headers. One unexpected perk that Maguire brings is his attacking threat – in addition to scoring the winner against Lyon, he made a crucial cross from the wing to hand United a goal against Athletic Club, so he might just come in handy up top late in the game.

Finally, there’s Yoro. Another player who has faced some challenging injury setbacks, Yoro has integrated seamlessly into United’s defensive setup and brings energy, speed, and some decent passing to the mix. Together, this back three is a versatile bunch.

Midfielders: Luke Shaw, Kobbie Mainoo, Casemiro, Noussair Mazraoui

Given Diogo Dalot’s injury, Mazraoui seems like the best option at the right wing-back position in my view. He is not only more comfortable in defence than Amad Diallo, but he is a decent passer, knows how to deliver some threatening long balls, and even takes some dangerous shots from outside the box.

Casemiro has significantly picked up his form in recent Europa League games, and I for one would like to take advantage of his purple patch by starting him in the final. In addition to being a natural ball-winner who can shore up the defence, the Brazilian is also a dangerous poacher in the box, capable of scoring with both his head and his feet.

Alongside him, I would like to see Kobbie Mainoo. Another recent returnee from injury, Mainoo is a more attacking option who could complement Casemiro to ensure that the heart of United’s midfield is filled with both offensive and defensive promise.

While Patrick Dorgu has been a regular name on the teamsheet, he has proven inconsistent in recent times, struggling to make accurate passes and often unable to play an effective role in United’s attacking build-up. Shaw, on the other hand, has appeared sharp and made an instant impact upon returning to the side following his injury absence. What’s more, his big match experience will surely come in handy in a match such as this.

Attackers: Alejandro Garnacho, Mason Mount, Bruno Fernandes

Garnacho has all the energy, pace, and desire to mobilise United’s attack on the night. While his shooting isn’t always of the required level, the Argentine is an effective passer and dribbler who could certainly cause headaches for the Spurs’ defence.

During the games against Brentford and Athletic Club, Mount showed that he has plenty of flair, making him an ideal pick for the striker position. While he may not be a natural striker, Mount’s talent with the ball at his feet has far surpassed that of Rasmus Hojlund, who has shown an inability to beat defenders or be an effective passer of the ball. Of course, his shoddy goalscoring record does not help his case.

On the right is the ever-reliable Bruno Fernandes. Arguably United’s most crucial player, the skipper will have a key role in coordinating between United’s midfield and attack and will certainly have a role in creating some crucial goalscoring opportunities for his team.

While I have trouble leaving Amad Diallo out, I think he could prove to be an effective super sub, coming into the match later on and taking advantage of some tired legs with his pace.

Featured image by Justin Setterfield via Getty Images

Manchester United defender Harry Maguire has opened up on his mental transformation, backing it to help him enjoy a superb performance in this week’s Europa League final against Tottenham Hotspur.

United are set to face Tottenham at San Mamés on Wednesday in a clash between two struggling sides. Ruben Amorim’s men are sitting in 16th place while Tottenham are just one spot above them in 17th.

The stakes couldn’t be higher for the two teams in what has been a miserable Premier League campaign for both. Beyond the chance to lift a trophy, the winner will also secure a coveted spot in next season’s Champions League.

Ahead of the match, Maguire spoke to TNT Sports and revealed that he and his teammates want to win the Europa League as a means to repay the fans for their unwavering support this term.

He told the news outlet, “To be in the Europa League and to give our fans something to bring that energy and atmosphere… the atmosphere in the Europa League has been something else – it’s been incredible.”

“We know it’s not been good enough this season, we take responsibility for that as players. We’ve had two managers and results haven’t been good enough, and that’s got to be down to us.”

“To play in a European final for Manchester United is a huge occasion. Our fans deserve it – they’ve been absolutely incredible this season. I don’t know how and why they’re sticking with us as much as they are, because we’ve disappointed them so many times.”

“But they’ve stuck with us and they deserve something to celebrate. It’s going to be a great day for them, but it’ll only be a great day if we go and lift that trophy.”

“It’s going to be a good game, a tough game, we know that Spurs will be right up for it as well, but it’s one I’m looking forward to.”

Maguire explained that in the past, he may have been too concerned with making a mistake during a final but this time round, his primary objective is to go out there and perform as best as he can.

“People can worry about finals. When I was a young boy, you’re probably going into finals and your mentality is a bit different. You’re probably thinking, ‘I don’t want to be the one to make that mistake’, whereas now my mentality is that I want to go and perform, I want to go and play.”

“If every one of your players goes onto the pitch in a final and has that mentality that they’re going to be the best player, they’re not going to be a 6 out of 10 and just get through the game and nothing gets said about them after – they’re going to go and express themselves… that’s a big mentality we need to have going into this final.”

The England international continued, “That’s why we play for this club, this is Manchester United. When you join this club, you want to be in big finals and have the privilege to play in finals.”

“We know there’s so much pressure and there’s going to be so much spoken about the game, but you’ve got to go and enjoy it.”

United vs. Tottenham kicks off at 20:00 BST.

Featured image Shaun Botterill via Getty Images

Manchester United’s disastrous campaign has been kept on life support by the prospect of ending the season with European silverware, in the shape of the Europa League.

Whilst it’s not Europe’s premier club competition and not where United fans feel the club should competing, there is no doubting the importance of Wednesday’s final in Bilbao against domestic rivals Tottenham Hotspur.

Should United win the trophy, a ticket to next year’s Champions League comes with it and makes Ruben Amorim’s summer rebuild a whole lot easier given the financial reward that comes with dining at Europe’s top table.

Team selection is going to be key for Amorim and with players returning to fitness, the Portuguese head coach does have some decisions to make.

With that in mind, here is my selection for the showpiece occasion against Spurs:

GOALKEEPER – Andre Onana.

From the sublime to the ridiculous, at times, Onana hasn’t enjoyed his finest campaign and there are major doubts as to his suitability for United’s goalkeeping role long term, but it would be a major shock to see the Cameroonian dropped for the biggest game of the season.

Whilst error prone, Onana carries huge experience and has shown he can perform at the highest level, most notably the Champions League final against Manchester City in 2023. Onana has the personality to cope with a huge occasion but Amorim will be hoping for a night of control from his number one.

CENTRE BACKS – Leny Yoro, Harry Maguire, Noussair Mazraoui.

Yoro is simply the best defender United have. His confidence on the ball has been key to his progress this season and his forays forward have been impressive, a quality only he possesses in Amorim’s back line – a must to start, if fit. Luke Shaw the obvious replacement if Yoro doesn’t make it.

Harry Maguire has improved under Amorim and carries a big threat in the opposition penalty area. With so many finals won on set pieces, Maguire has a punter’s chance of getting a goal and will go into the game with confidence after some recent eye catching moments. He will also fancy the physical battle with Solanke.

Noussair Mazraoui is much better in the right centre-back role than at wing back. Comfortable in the position as he admits himself and has enjoyed a decent first season at Old Trafford. Solid if unspectacular but starter on Wednesday, for me.

WING BACKS – Patrick Dorgu, Amad.

Dorgu has been up and down since his January arrival but is the most natural wing back in the squad and does have the energy to provide a threat going forward as well completing his defensive work.

Amad is one of the few plus points of the season. He might have been on course to battle Bruno Fernandes for the Player of the Year award until his injury. The Ivorian is at his best when running at defenders, the wing back role allows him to pick the ball up deeper than the attacking players and front up opponents, putting them on the back foot and giving him the space to produce his wizardry.

MIDFIELDERS – Casemiro, Manuel Ugarte.

Casemiro in a European final is must. The Brazilian’s experience means he is an absolute no-brainer for the starting XI and his form has been solid in recent months, getting back to fitness and showing his class. He is also a threat from set pieces.

Manuel Ugarte is where it starts to get tricky for me. I just feel his energy and bite will be required in the middle of the park and it allows me to get Bruno Fernandes closer to the Tottenham goal. However, he would be my first substitution of the night if things pan out as expected.

FORWARDS – Bruno Fernandes, Rasmus Hojlund, Alejandro Garnacho.

Bruno speaks for himself, another POTY award, another stellar season. I would start the captain here with the option of bringing him deeper if the game requires. Bruno is our best maker and taker of chances, therefore having him as high up the pitch as possible makes logical sense to me – if only football was a logical game!

I’ve tried everything in my power to leave Hojlund out but Amorim has experimented with other options, none of which have worked either. It goes without saying the form of the Dane should not grant him a place in a European final but he knows the position, the other players in the team are used to him up there and that’s about as positive as I can be about our central striker right now. Oh, he does have a goal to his name against Spurs, hat-trick incoming!

Mason Mount is unlucky to miss out but Garnacho does carry a threat in behind and regularly finds himself in goal scoring positions. Whether he has the composure to take his chances is another story but I feel he is better from the right as it negates his option to cut in and wildly swing at goal with his right foot. He has previous with his FA Cup final opener last season, too.

Despite my picks, I feel the game will be won off the bench in one way or the other and I believe United’s options will be stronger than Tottenham’s on the night, which will lead to the the barbeque being well and truly lit up at Carrington upon the Red’s return.

Featured image Stu Forster via Getty Images

Tottenham Hotspur right back Pedro Porro has lauded Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim ahead of the Europa League final.

Spurs will take on Amorim’s United in the final on Wednesday evening in Bilbao.

Both sides will be hoping to end a wretched domestic season with the silver lining of European success.

Porro spent three years at Sporting CP with Amorim as coach, so knows the Portuguese inside out.

Speaking to the The Standard Porro claimed that United are still a dangerous team in spite of being 16th in the Premier League table.

He stated, “well, I don’t think they’ve lost in the Europa League. They’re a very good team, with a very good coach, no?”

The Spaniard claimed that United lacked luck in the league, like Spurs who are 17th, but stated “we’re two teams that know how to deliver and it’s going to be a very beautiful final. I hope we’re the happy ones at the end.”

The fullback was not only full of praise for the Red Devils, but in particular his former coach.

He opined, “he’s a magnificent coach. I know him very well.” Porro went on to claim that Amorim’s most impressive quality was the way he found a way to build relationships with his squad of players.

Elaborating further he claimed, “it’s the way he treats the players, he always spoke to me as a person, it’s not just how he treated me from a football perspective.”

Porro has expressed his gratitude to Amorim for the help he gave him when he first joined the Portuguese club in 2020.

He asserted, “when I arrived (at Sporting), it was a little bit difficult for me but like everything in football, sometimes it’s hard at first, right?”

“Things in life don’t always go the way you want them to but when I got there, the truth is I had a lot of help from him and at that moment my football exploded. To be honest I’m really grateful to him for that.”

Amorim will hope to get the better of his former player when the Europa League final begins at 8pm UK time on Wednesday evening in Bilbao.

Featured image Alex Pantling via Getty Images

The Europa League final on Wednesday has taken on enormous significance, both for Manchester United and Ruben Amorim, and anything but a win in Bilbao could see the club get embroiled in mediocrity in its aftermath.

INEOS are not in a strong position financially and can only recruit a certain number of players in the summer with the money at hand. While Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Matheus Cunha seems ready to come to Old Trafford without their being Champions League football on offer, most of the top targets are expected to stay away.

That effectively means the co-owners could be forced to sign their second or third-choice targets, something Amorim can do without at this stage of his tenure. He needs quality so that he can start the new season on the front foot and avoid losing his job, which could mean yet another season of transition and the Red Devils falling even further behind the top clubs.

Fans will also shudder at the prospect of INEOS selling fan favourites like Alejandro Garnacho, Kobbie Mainoo, and even skipper Bruno Fernandes to raise revenue, thereby further weakening an already wounded giant. And all this can be avoided if the team can emerge victorious against Tottenham Hotspur at the San Mames.

Amorim must be ruthless

And while the 20-time English league champions might not have the best record against Spurs this season, a European final is a different ball-game altogether and Amorim can silence his critics and send a strong message across Europe with a defiant response by securing the Europa League trophy.

Given the injury and form concerns, it will not be an easy task. In this special series, The Peoples Person writers are picking their preferred XI for the season-defining clash. Already Alex Browne, Red Billy, Derick Kinoti and Daniel Onguko have shared their opinions on the team Amorim should pick.

Now, it is my turn and I feel the former Sporting CP boss should go bold in the final and in the process, send a message to this underperforming bunch of players that wearing the United shirt is a responsibility that does not come as easily as some have taken it over the course of the current season.

Goalkeeper

Altay Bayindir

Considering the mistakes Andre Onana has committed, both in the Premier League and in Europe, he should not be anywhere near the starting lineup. The Cameroonian committed two huge errors in the most recent Chelsea loss but his post-match comments seemed to suggest he was confident that he would start no matter what. Amorim must jolt him back to reality with this selection.

The Turk has been far from great, but in the FA Cup, he single-handedly took the Red Devils past Arsenal and the possibility of a penalty shootout cannot be ignored and Bayindir seems a better bet to handle spotkicks.

Defence

Noussair Mazraoui, Harry Maguire, Leny Yoro

The Moroccan is a better fit as the centre-back instead of wingback. He is calm and composed and has the ability to both carry the ball forward as well as provide line-breaking passes, something Amorim will want from his back three.

It is no secret that Maguire has played his best football after Amorim introduced the back-three formation. The Englishman can use his aerial strengths to good effect while also providing cross-field balls to both wings. His lack of pace can also be effectively masked, and not to mention his innate ability to come up with the goods in the opposition’s box.

Hopefully Yoro will be passed fit for the final. He is simply the best defender the club has at the moment, both in terms of raw defending as well as his ball-progression skills. The Frenchman has pace to burn and his ability with the ball could prove key in unlocking a stubborn defence, as he showed in the second-leg against Athletic Club at Old Trafford.

Wingbacks

Diogo Dalot, Patrick Dorgu

Once again, I’m hoping Dalot will start. His fitness record is impeccable and I have a feeling Amorim is keeping him fresh for the final. He has been at the club for the longest time and will give it his all, both attacking-wise and defensively. His late runs into the box could be key on Wednesday.

Dorgu has had a mixed spell so far but he is the best out-and-out left wingback we have currently. His raw pace and engine will be huge assets and hopefully, he can improve his decision-making in the final.

Midfield

Bruno Fernandes, Casemiro

Casemiro in a European final is a no-brainer. He lives for these moments and his know-how could prove invaluable. The Brazilian has been the epitome of resurgence this season and hopefully, he can add another trophy to his United stint in Spain, a country he has dominated for a long time.

The skipper is the best post-Sir Alex Ferguson era signing by far and is simply the best player the club has. While he is most dangerous as one of the attacking midfielders, a partnership of Manuel Ugarte and Casemiro often means a lack of effective ball progression from midfield. The Portuguese can change all that with his passing skills and his ability to pop up all across the pitch.

Forwards

Alejandro Garnacho, Mason Mount and Amad

The Argentine’s finishing has let him down under Amorim but he is someone who always gives his all and he is always positive with the ball. Garnacho keeps looking to take his man on and his pace and directness will be hard for Spurs to defend. He has also been well rested, which means he can carry on running for 90-plus minutes.

Amad has looked a class apart since his return from injury and the Ivorian will be hoping to produce more magic on the right in the final. He can beat people with ease and tracks back when needed, both of which will be required.

The most controversial choice will be who starts up front and Rasmus Hojlund does not deserve to start the final after the season he has had. Not only has he failed to find the back of the net, his lack of work-rate has been alarming while his confidence looks shattered.

Mount has played as a false nine in the past for Chelsea with immense success and his versatility could prove key on Wednesday. He can drop deep if needed, interchange with either of the attacking midfielders and is a danger in the box as shown from his smartly-taken goal against Athletic Club. His work-rate cannot be faulted and Hojlund can come on as a substitute if needed.

Here’s my XI that will smash Spurs in the final, all Amorim has to do is be a bit bold in his selection.

Feature image Michael Steele via Getty Images

Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim has emphasised that he and his players are determined to make amends for this season’s shortcomings, and that determination is driving their ambition to defeat Tottenham Hotspur in next week’s Europa League final.

United suffered their 18th loss of the Premier League season on Friday evening as Chelsea beat them 1-0 at Stamford Bridge.

The Red Devils are set to end the campaign without winning back-to-back games for the first time in history. It is also the first time in Premier League history that they’ve gone eight games without a Premier League win, their longest winless run in history.

Statisticians Opta note that Amorim has an extremely underwhelming points per game ratio of 0.92, which is lower than Paul Jewell’s Premier League points per game (0.94). Jewell took charge of 24 games at Derby without a win in 2007/08.

United have also suffered nine home defeats this term, which is their joint-worst alongside 1930/31, 1933/34 and 1962/63.

The numbers make for poor reading, but Amorim is still confident that his players will get the job done at San Mames on Wednesday.

He spoke to club media after the final whistle vs. Chelsea and said, “Of course, we have to believe. I am really confident. I feel that my players are ready for this game.”

“They know what it means, not just for us but for our fans and for the club. After this season, we are ready to fight for the one thing that can help us remember this season in a different way.”

“So I am really confident.”

He added, “We are living a season that is really strange because we are doing so well in Europe but, in the Premier League, we struggle.”

“But we will be prepared for the final. It’s a different context and a different game. The most important thing is the change in mentality in my team. They compete and that is the most important thing for me.”

It’s worth noting that United remain unbeaten in Europe this season – a streak Ruben Amorim will be eager to maintain as he looks to secure Champions League qualification in the process.

Featured image Clive Brunskill via Getty Images

In just a few days, on 21 May, Manchester United will play their biggest game of the season: the UEFA Europa League final.

United’s unbeaten nine wins and five draws have secured their place in the show piece occasion against Tottenham Hotspur.

The two Premier League sides will square off at San Mamés Stadium in Bilbao, Spain, with kick-off at 8 pm UK time.

With both United and Tottenham sitting closer to the bottom of the league table than the top, and neither having a realistic chance of qualifying for Europe through league placement, winning the Europa League is everything for both clubs.

It is no secret that lifting the Europa League trophy guarantees a place in next season’s UEFA Champions League. For United to reach that elite competition, Ruben Amorim must get his tactics spot on and select a winning lineup.

The Peoples Person is running a series in which each writer chooses their ideal starting eleven for the game.

Notably, these are dream teams, not predicted lineups. That said, here’s Daniel’s selection.

Injuries are bound to influence team selection.

There is hope that Matthijs de Ligt, Leny Yoro, and Diogo Dalot will be available, with Amorim insisting that everyone wants to be fit for the occasion.

Given this is United’s most critical game of the season, the team cannot afford to gamble on match fitness.

Instead, they should play it safe with the Europa League final lineup. There is perhaps no safer selection than this:

Daniel’s preferred United XI against Spurs

In goal, despite inconsistencies in United’s goalkeeping department, I feel André Onana, who has shown he can step up on his day, keeps his spot.

Defence

If De Ligt and Yoro fail to pass their match fitness tests, I would favour a back three consisting of Noussair Mazraoui, Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw.

The experienced trio should provide defensive stability.

Maguire has been outstanding and deserves his place in the lineup. Versatile Mazraoui has performed well on the right side of a back three, and he should be reliable again.

When fully fit, Shaw is classy. Some have noted he has returned slightly rusty, lacking pace, but this is when I expect him to rise to the challenge.

Midfield

In midfield and wing-back, I expect Amad Diallo to step in as the right wing-back in Dalot’s absence, depending on his match fitness levels, if available.

A midfield quartet of Diallo, Manuel Ugarte, Casemiro and Patrick Dorgu makes me confident there will be a strong defensive shield in front of United’s backline.

Casemiro’s resurgence and Ugarte’s brilliant European form should provide the foundation for United’s dominance.

Attack

Bruno Fernandes, one of the two number tens, and Rasmus Højlund, leading the line, are guaranteed starters.

The big question, however, is who should play alongside Fernandes as the other number ten.

Alejandro Garnacho arguably deserves to start, but his lack of a clinical edge remains a concern.

United cannot afford to squander clear-cut chances.

If there is one quality the team needs on Wednesday night, it is ruthlessness in front of the goal.

As controversial as it may be, between Mason Mount and Garnacho, Mount could be the safer bet to join Fernandes and Højlund in attack.

Mount produced a “complete performance” when he came on during the 4-1 win over Athletic Bilbao.

Given “that performance”, scoring a brace, I would trust him to pick up where he left off.

Here, then, is my dream line-up for the game:

Featured image Michael Steele via Getty Images