Mourinho To Make 7 Changes: Predicted Man Utd XI vs Arsenal

Manchester United will look to give their hopes of finishing in the top four a major boost when they take on Arsenal at the Emirates on Sunday afternoon.

Here is the team I think Jose Mourinho will pick for the game:

Goalkeeper: Sergio Romero started in the Europa League victory over Celta Vigo last night but David De Gea is expected to get a recall against the Gunners on Sunday afternoon.

Defence: Mourinho has suggested he’ll field a weakened side but he’s been boosted by the return to fitness of two of his defenders. Chris Smalling is back in contention after making his comeback off the bench last night so he should start in the back four with Eric Bailly given a rest.

Antonio Valencia is also expected to be given a breather but his likely replacement – Ashley Young – is a major doubt after picking up a hamstring problem against Celta. Phil Jones is set to return to the squad so he could fill-in at right-back.

Luke Shaw is out for the rest of the season with a foot injury so we could see Matteo Darmian keep his place at left-back with Daley Blind starting in the middle of defence.

Midfield: Marouane Fellaini is suspended so Michael Carrick should get a recall after being left on the bench in the Europa League semi-final first leg.

Despite Mourinho hinting he’ll play the kids, I think he’ll actually select a strong line-up with Ander Herrera and Paul Pogba retaining their places in the midfield.

Attack: Wayne Rooney could get a recall up front as Marcus Rashford limped off with a minor knock against Celta while Zlatan Ibrahimovic is obviously unavailable following knee surgery.

Anthony Martial was a late substitute last night so he should come back in to the attack while Juan Mata may get a recall after recovering from a groin injury.

CHECK OUT OUR PREDICTED ARSENAL XI HERE

That would allow Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Jesse Lingard to get given a rest ahead of the second leg against Celta next week.

So despite talk of a severely weakened side, I still think Mourinho will play a team filled with internationals as United are still right in the mix for the top four and he won’t want to lose to his old foe Arsene Wenger.

Here is how we think United will line-up: