Choose XI of Manchester United to face Lyon: Hojlund or Zirkzee? Set up? And where to start Fernandes?

6 days ago

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It is Bilbao or Busto for Manchester United this season and the next stop on the possible journey to the Europa League final is a trip to Lyon on Thursday.

The competition offers not only the last chance to save the silverware of a miserable season, but now it is also vital for their hopes to play again in Europe next season – And their finances.

A draw without networks in the derby against the city of Sunday has at least shown that Ruben Amorim’s team can be solid in its chosen formation, but before one of the greatest games of her kingdom so far, our writers discuss who should start in France.

Zirkzee in, Fernandes again in midfield

I tried to be too intelligent the last time we did this and I put myself in my place to you, so here’s a nice vanilla formation with only a couple of splashes of interest.

My only change since the 11th on Sunday is Joshua Zirkzee for Manuel Ugarte, even if this brown Bruno Fernandes to midfield and moves Alejandro Garnacho in the role n. 10 Destro.

Amorim preferred Fernandes as one of n. 10 In the last two releases, but it was equally influential from deeper before the international break, while Garnacho was scoring and helping from the right. The form of Casemiro takes him in front of Ugarte.

This is essentially the range that started the 4-1 second leg victory against Real Sociedad, only with Leny Yoro and Harry Maguire who respectively replace the wounded sky Ayden and Matthijs de Ligt.

He brought one of the best performances of the United season, in the most important night of their campaign to date. The same on Thursday, then.

Mark Crititchley

Initial mountain

The mention of Mark of Vanilla and Spruzzi made me want an ice cream in this glorious Manchester sun, but before the sweet deal of predicting a formation for what is certainly the biggest game ever in the mandate of Amorim.

Although the Europa League has been a happier place for Rasmus Hojlund, its ineffective display against Manchester City pushes the thoughts of a reshuffle, and while it could soon be in the Mount recovery program, showed enough in 20 minutes on Sunday to suggest that it is worthy of a start.

He was tenacious from the ball and had the quality. Out of the back of an almost immediate impact from the Nottingham Forest bench – where his shot whistled just a wide – playing him behind the striker could be worthwhile in Lyon. Mount has a European pedigree, having won the Champions League with Chelsea, and is clearly on the occasion of increasing his minutes.

It would allow Hojlund to be a replacement of the impact, potentially giving United more control of possession, given the technical skills of Mount. Zirkzee who begins after his effective cameo against the city also has the merit, and this means that Ugarte descends on the bench in a more scarce race for him. Fernandes was good enough in a deeper role.

Laurie Whitwell

Casemiro and Ugarte the safe bet

People think that vanilla is a boring flavor, but a good vanilla is a safe and quality bet and it is what I went to the away leg.

You could go more to attack with Fernandes like n. 6 and Zirkzee as n. 10, but this Lyon team has a lot of threat striker and United will have to be compact as they were against Manchester City Sunday.

I am putting Ugarte and Casemiro in midfield with the hope that they are defensively cunning, they position themselves intelligently, intercept at the right time and have legs to go on. Casemiro is in a beautiful form of form and must replicate it again on Thursday.

Where United can injure Lyon is exploiting their defensive instability. Garnacho will have to ran behind and on the wing to drag Lyon out of position.

The same goes for Hojlund who is more inclined to run away from the defenders’ shoulders and lengthen the bottom line while Zirkzee’s strength lies in his waiting game. The Dutchman can therefore be used as a replacement of the impact to inject energy as the game continues.

Charlotte Harpur

Zirkzee, Garnacho and Fernandes in attack

Andre Allana has not granted more than once for seven games and is quite adaptable to change the tactics in the middle of the game: he started hitting long balls at the end of the last match of the Europa League. It is doubtful that Luke Shaw is ready to start, so Yoro remains for a return journey to his birthplace to the left of three rear.

Maguire’s return was timely against City since De Ligt (who had played well) was absent after turning the ankle and Mazraoui is another stable Eddie on the right of the three.

As against Real Sociedad – Dorgu on the left. United uses their great men to try to get behind full -backs and Dalot can do the same from the right while United tries to break the defensive lines.

Ugarte brings balance and legs and closes the space in which the former Utd Nemanja Matic man will have fun but will not come across. Ugarte was influential for Lyon in Ligue 1 for Paris Saint-Germain last season (two assists) and it is better to have a midfield two for the away leg, with Fernandes, the best and most in shape of the United, more advanced.

This means that at his side is Casemiro, that he is playing his best football in a poor season. It was better in Europe and was decent against Real Sociedad. He is playing for his place now with Kobbie Mainoo who returns, but his experience and protection in the front of the defensive line is the key.

I chose Zirkzee on Hojlund in the center. It is effective in holding the ball, falling back and finding space between the lines and pull the defenders with it. Hojlund can always come.

And finally it is Garnacho. Its final product must improve, but will attack from the right. Or the left.

Andy in the middle