Manchester United predicted XI vs Club Brugge: Ighalo in line to make first start?

Manchester United return to Europa League action on Thursday as they travel to take on Club Brugge in their last-32 first-leg tie.   

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side will face the Belgian side just 72 hours after their impressive 2-0 Premier League win at Chelsea.

That victory was vital in the Red Devils’ hunt for Champions League qualification as they hope to avoid playing Europa League football again next term.

United advanced to this stage by topping their group with 13 points from a possible 18, while their opponents have dropped out of the Champions League after finishing third in a group containing Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain.

Despite being favourites for the tie, Solskjaer will know that any side dropping out of Europe’s elite competition won’t be easy to beat.

So which players will the Norwegian task with the challenge of getting a result to take back to Old Trafford? Here we predict the United boss’ XI…

Goalkeeper: Having played four of United’s six group games, we think Solskjaer will opt to select his ‘cup’ ‘keeper Sergio Romero in order to give David de Gea a break.

Defenders: Solskjaer opted for a back three with two wing-backs against Chelsea but could revert back to a four against Brugge. Captain Harry Maguire should continue to lead out the side with youngster Brandon Williams also continuing. However, Diogo Dalot and Phil Jones could both be given opportunities to shine.

Midfielders: Scott McTominay has returned to full training but could have to wait to come back into the XI. Nemanja Matic’s upturn in form and experience should see him remain in the side, with Andreas Pereira coming in for fellow countryman Fred. Bruno Fernandes, who lit up the competition when playing for Sporting Lisbon, should make his Europa League bow for United.

Forwards: Odion Ighalo made his debut from the bench against Chelsea and could be given his first start in order to give Anthony Martial a rest. We expect him to be in attack alongside regular Daniel James and youngster Mason Greenwood, who is United’s top scorer in the competition this season with four goals (Fernandes hit five for Sporting).

Predicted XI:Romero; Dalot, Jones, Maguire, Williams; Matic, Pereira, Fernandes; Greenwood, James, Ighalo.