Manchester United will look to book their place in the last four of the Europa League on Thursday (8.05pm kick-off) with victory over Anderlecht.

Jose Mourinho’s men got a key away goal in the first leg last week thanks to Henrikh Mkhitaryan, and although they only drew 1-1 in Belgium, they created enough opportunities to suggest that they can get the job done at Old Trafford.

The Red Devils will also be going into Thursday’s encounter off the back of a fantastic 2-0 win over Premier League leaders Chelsea on Sunday, a result which just about keeps their top four hopes alive with seven games of the domestic season remaining.

However, should Mourinho’s men fail to qualify for the Champions League through league position, they can do so by winning the Europa League, which means that they have to get the better of Belgian First Division A leaders Anderlecht, who have lost just one league match since November.

Nonetheless, United will go in as favourites to progress to the semi-finals, although with a packed schedule over the coming weeks, Mourinho may need to shuffle his pack on Thursday.

Thus, here are THREE Man United stars who deserve a chance in the Europa League…

Luke Shaw

United have still got a minimum of eight games left to play between now and May 21, which means that Mourinho will need to continue rotating his squad and keep his players fresh.

And that could mean a return to the starting line-up for England international Luke Shaw.

The 21-year-old has been publicly criticised by Mourinho this season but returned to the side in the 1-1 draw against Everton earlier this month, and it was actually his shot which won the Red Devils a late penalty in that game to preserve their unbeaten Premier League run.

A fine 65 minutes at Sunderland last week, in which he registered an assist, further underlined his quality and capabilities in the left-back role, and although United were excellent defensively against Chelsea, Mourinho may need to change things such is their fixture pile-up.

Michael Carrick

35-year-old midfielder Michael Carrick didn’t start against Chelsea at the weekend, which points to him returning to the starting eleven against Anderlecht on Thursday.

The former England international played the full 90 minutes against the Belgian outfit last week as United got a 1-1 draw, and his 30-minute cameo against the Blues on Sunday helped the Red Devils solidify their commanding position against Antonio Conte’s men.

Carrick brings a measure of control and composure to the United side, and on a key night for the club, Mourinho may need him in the middle to orchestrate things, and help secure the victory.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan

Armenia captain Henrikh Mkhitaryan was an unused substitute against Chelsea as Mourinho continues to rotate his squad ahead of their run in, but the 28-year-old may well return against Anderlecht.

It was he who scored the crucial away goal in Belgium last week to give United a slight advantage ahead of Thursday’s encounter, which was his fourth goal in just seven Europa League appearances this season.

With a goal in his last Premier League start as well against Sunderland, Mkhitaryan is clearly in decent form, and with United looking to book their place in the last four, Mourinho may call upon the attacker to inspire his side past Anderlecht on Thursday.