Manchester United predicted XI vs Club Brugge: Solskjaer to go strong with last-16 place in the balance

Manchester United face Club Brugge in their Europa League last-32 second-leg at Old Trafford on Thursday with the score locked at 1-1.

Emmanuel Dennis put the hosts ahead after 15 minutes in Belgium, but Anthony Martial equalised later in the first half to record an away goal for the visitors.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side, who have recorded back-to-back Premier League wins against Chelsea and Watford, will now aim to finish the job on home soil.

The last time United were in the Europa League they won the competition back in 2016, which saw them automatically qualify for the Champions League.

With a host of clubs eyeing fourth and, following Manchester City’s European ban, now fifth in the league, it could again prove to be the Red Devils’ route into the continent’s top club competition.

So which players will be tasked with the challenge of advancing to the next stage? Here we predict Solskjaer’s XI…

Goalkeeper: Despite getting caught in no man’s land for Brugge’s opener last week, Sergio Romero is expected to be reinstated into the starting line-up ahead of first-choice David de Gea. The Argentine has played in five of United’s seven European matches this term.

Defenders: Eric Bailly made an impressive return from injury against Chelsea but, after being a substitute against Brugge and Watford, he may have to settle for a place on the bench once more. This means Victor Lindelof and Harry Maguire should continue with Aaron Wan-Bissaka again at right-back. However, Luke Shaw could drop out for a rest to be replaced by youngster Brandon Williams. 

Midfielders: Fred and Nemanja Matic have been solid for Solskjaer in recent times and will take their place at the base of the midfield behind Bruno Fernandes, who is to start his first European match for United. The Portuguese star scored five times in the Europa League for Sporting Lisbon earlier this season and netted his first Red Devils goal against Watford on Sunday.

Forwards: Anthony Martial will again spearhead the attack as he looks to score against Brugge for the second time in a week and for a fourth match in a row. Mason Greenwood started and scored his tenth of the season against Watford so could keep his place out wide, with Dan James looking likely to provide the pace on the other side.

Predicted XI: Romero; Wan-Bissaka, Maguire, Bailly, Williams; Matić, Fred, Fernandes; Greenwood, James; Martial.