Predicted Manchester United side to face Anderlecht: Defensive surprise, three changes?

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Here is how we expect Manchester United and Anderlecht to line-up ahead of their Europa League quarter final first leg.

To be played on Thursday 13th April 2017 at 21:05. Venue: Stade Constant Vanden Stock,

Odds: Anderlecht 3/1, Draw 5/2, Man Utd 19/20

Manchester United head to Belgium for their Europa League quarter-final first leg tie against Anderlecht on Thursday evening, buoyed by a comprehensive 3-0 Premier League victory over Sunderland last time out.

Whilst United boss Jose Mourinho is likely to keep faith with the majority of his line-up that downed the Black Cats, there is a strong possibility that United fans will see up to three changes to the starting XI for the away encounter at the Stade Constant Vanden Stock.

Despite edging closer to full fitness, goalkeeper David De Gea will miss out against Anderlecht, with deputy Sergio Romero starting behind an altered defensive unit. Regular starter Antonio Valencia is fully expected to return to his right back role, with the central defensive duo of Eric Bailly and Marcos Rojo continuing their partnership.

However, Mourinho may opt to spring a surprise at left back – with the luckless Luke Shaw the most likely to return to the substitutes bench if the United boss decides to persevere with Matteo Darmian in his starting line-up; following the Italy international’s impressive showing as the Red Devils kept their 12th clean sheet of the season against Sunderland.

Darmian’s return to the side last weekend was a timely reminder of the defensive qualities that the 27-year-old possesses – and with Valencia’s marauding runs along United’s right side, it may be that Darmian will switch to provide the balance and cover on the opposite flank.

Further, ahead of Darmian, we could see forward Marcus Rashford take the left wing spot after the 19-year-old’s energetic goal scoring cameo appearance at the weekend – rather than the more natural midfield choice of Jesse Lingard. Hence, Mourinho may well remove the forward thinking Shaw in an attempt to stabilise his left channel.

In addition to Valencia and Rashford, a third predicted change could see a recall for midfield pass master Michael Carrick – in place of weekend captain Marouane Fellaini – as part of a midfield trio alongside Paul Pogba and Ander Herrera.

Meanwhile, opponents Anderlecht have a plethora of players walking the proverbial suspension tightrope – with Frank Acheampong, Leander Dendoncker, Sofiane Hanni, Bram Nuytinck, Emmanuel Adjey Sowah, Uroš Spajić, Łukasz Teodorczyk, Isaac Kiese Thelin, and the hugely talented Youri Tielemans all one caution away from missing the second leg at Old Trafford.

Here is our predicted line-up for both Manchester United and Anderlecht, in full: