The team news is now in, and Jose Mourinho has gone extremely strong in terms of his selections for the first leg against FC Rostov. I think the manager’s hand was forced in some ways, particularly with Zlatan Ibrahimovic getting a domestic ban – so he was always going to start.
What is intriguing is the formation, and at first glance, it definitely looks like Jose Mourinho is playing a five-at-the-back formation with Ashley Young and Marcos Rojo as wing-backs. It seems very odd, but I guess we’ll know for sure when the players line up just moments before kick-off.
Phil Jones, Chris Smalling and Daley Blind all start the match as what looks like the three centre-backs; unless the latter of the trio is deployed in the middle of the park.
We look very strong in the midfield. Marouane Fellaini is given a rare start, and he’ll play alongside both Ander Herrera and Paul Pogba. Personally, I’m surprised that Michael Carrick hasn’t been given the nod here.
The aforementioned Zlatan Ibrahimovic does indeed lead the line, and he’ll be helped out by Henrikh Mkhitaryan who is fit to play following injury.
Starting XI
Romero; Jones, Smalling, Blind; Young, Pogba, Fellaini, Herrera, Rojo; Mkhitaryan; Ibrahimovic.
Subs: De Gea, Valencia, Carrick, Lingard, Mata, Martial, Rashford.
Here's how #MUFC will line up in Russia this evening… #UEL pic.twitter.com/HvEPePBmIL
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) March 9, 2017
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