How Manchester United could line up against AS Roma | UEFA Europa League 2020/21

Manchester United are all set for the second leg of their UEFA Champions League semi-final against AS Roma at the Stadio Olimpico in Italy.

Paulo Fonseca's side traveled to Old Trafford last week, where they were ruthlessly taken apart by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's men as they smashed six goals past the Roman club. Despite taking a 2-1 lead before half-time, the Red Devils demolished Roma in the second half by scoring five goals without reply.

The Giallorossi, currently in seventh place in Serie A, head into the fixture in poor form as they were beaten by Claudio Ranieri's Sampdoria by a scoreline of 2-0. Matters have been made worse due to their list of injuries, with the likes of Leonardo Spinazzola, Jordan Veretout, Amadou Diawara, and Pau Lopez all out injured.

Manchester United were scheduled to play in midweek as well, with a high-profile game against Liverpool set for Sunday. However, the game was canceled due to mass protests at Old Trafford. They will look to finish the job they started last week and protect their four-goal lead, with Roma needing at least four goals without reply to get past Manchester United.

Given their healthy advantage over Roma and an upcoming Premier League fixture against Aston Villa, Solskjaer could potentially opt to rest some of his key players for the game. Their game against Liverpool has been slated in for the 13th of May, which would see them play three games in five days.

On that note, here, we take a look at how Manchester United could potentially line up for their clash against AS Roma.

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Manchester United Predicted XI

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Goalkeeper: David de Gea

Going by Solskjaer's pattern in terms of team selection over the last couple of months, David de Gea can be expected to start in goal for Manchester United. De Gea has been dethroned as the club's number one goalkeeper after over a decade of service, with Dean Henderson being preferred to him in the league.

This dynamic has led to De Gea being used as a designated cup keeper, at least since the resumption of football after the international break. The 30-year-old has played just three times for the Red Devils since the end of February, and all three appearances came in the UEL against Granada (twice) and Roma last week.

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Defence

Aaron Wan-Bissaka is expected to start at right-back given the lack of an able deputy for the English full-back. The former Crystal Palace man has started every single one of Manchester United's 13 European games so far, and Solskjaer could continue this trend, albeit possibly bringing him off earlier to afford him some rest.

There could be a change in the heart of defence with Eric Bailly being available for selection. Fresh off his contract extension, the Ivorian could be in line to feature for the first time since the second week of March. With a hectic week of football on the horizon for Manchester United, the Roma game could be a great opportunity to bring Bailly back into the fray.

Should Bailly return to the XI, he could be expected to partner captain Harry Maguire in defence, as opposed to Victor Lindelof. Luke Shaw has established himself as one of Solskjaer's undroppable players, and the English full-back could also be afforded some rest. With Alex Telles available for selection, he could potentially come in for Shaw.

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Also read: 5 Players who can replace Nemanja Matic at Manchester United

Midfield

Scott McTominay has been a fixture in Solskjaer's sides for big games throughout the campaign, and with the likes of Leicester City and Liverpool scheduled to visit Old Trafford next week, he could be rested in Rome. Veteran midfielder Nemanja Matic could be brought into the side instead of the Scot to anchor their midfield.

Matic looked in great touch during his previous start against Granada in England, and he could be expected to start alongside Fred in the middle of the park.

The two holding midfielders are most likely to line up behind Manchester United's star man Bruno Fernandes in the attacking midfield role. Fernandes was in surreal form during the first leg as he scored two goals and set up two more, and is in line for another start.

Solskjaer could potentially offer Donny van de Beek some valuable minutes over the course of the game, but the Dutchman is unlikely to start ahead of Fernandes.

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Attack

Solskjaer dropped a hint over his team selection by dropping Edinson Cavani for the canceled game against Liverpool, and could do so once again in Rome. The Uruguayan's absence could pave the way for Mason Greenwood to start the game and make his 100th appearance for Manchester United, becoming only the fifth player to hit this landmark for the side as a teenager.

Marcus Rashford could reprise his role on the left-hand side of the attack, with Paul Pogba dropping to the bench. Rashford hasn't been nearly as effective from the right as he was on the left for a large part of the campaign, and the English superstar could play off the left.

Welsh winger Daniel James could complete the front three by coming in on the right-hand side of the attack in Rome. James has already started away at Milan, Real Sociedad, and Granada, and could be in line for his sixth start of the Europa League campaign against AS Roma.

The likes of Amad Diallo and Shola Shoretire could potentially come on for some minutes as the game goes on as well.

Predicted XI: David de Gea; Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Eric Bailly, Harry Maguire, Alex Telles; Fred, Nemanja Matic; Daniel James, Bruno Fernandes, Marcus Rashford; Mason Greenwood.

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