Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho is likely to make a number of changes to his team when they take on Valencia on Tuesday night.
Manchester United will face off against Spanish La Liga outfit Valencia in their second Group H encounter of the UEFA Champions League at Old Trafford this week.
Jose Mourinho’s Red Devils find themselves under intense pressure after a run of three games without a victory in the past week. A draw against Wolverhampton Wanderers last weekend was followed by a cup defeat to Derby County and another loss to West Ham United in the Premier League, which has left the manager sweating over his future at the club.
Nothing less than a victory against Valencia will do for United, but ahead of the game they have been hit with three fresh injury blows, as Ashley Young, Ander Herrera and Jesse Lingard set to miss the midweek encounter. They join defender Marcos Rojo on the sidelines, the manager confirmed ahead of the game.
Apart from Marcos Rojo, now we have Ander Herrera, Ashley Young and Jesse Lingard out,
Jose told MUTV on the eve of the match. I prefer the doctor to speak, but they are not in [the right] conditions.
Mourinho is likely to revert to the 4-3-3 formation, after having utilized a three-man backline in the defeat to West Ham on Saturday. David De Gea remains the obvious choice between the sticks for the Mancunian outfit, while Luke Shaw is expected to hold on to his spot in the backline, along with the central defensive duo of Chris Smalling and Victor Lindelof.
Young’s injury opens up a spot at right-back, which is likely to be filled by club captain Antonio Valencia, who did not start against Derby and West Ham. Young Diogo Dalot, who made a good impression against BSC Young Boys in United’s previous Champions League encounter, will miss out.
Summer signing Fred is likely to walk back into the starting lineup for Tuesday’s encounter to add more purpose and forward thrust from the middle of the park. He could replace Serbian powerhouse Nemanja Matic, who by his own admission, played his worst game in a United shirt against West Ham.
Marouane Fellaini is expected to be retained at the base of the three-man midfield by the Portuguese tactician. Things might not be all too well between Jose and Paul Pogba at present, but the Frenchman is likely to hold on to his spot in the team when Valencia come visiting.
Lingard’s injury-enforced absence paves the way for Spanish playmaker Juan Mata to get a rare start on the right-flank against his former club. Following Anthony Martial’s subdued display against the Hammers, he is set to face the drop, with Alexis Sanchez and Marcus Rashford vying for his spot on the left-side. The latter is likely to get the go-ahead, after his goal-scoring cameo from the bench at the weekend.
Romelu Lukaku’s form is a concern for Manchester United heading into the game against Los Che. However, Mourinho is expected to back the big Belgian to come good on Tuesday.
