Manchester United open the 2024/25 Europa League campaign on Wednesday, taking on Twente.
At Old Trafford on Wednesday night the Europa League begins for Manchester United – who will enter the fixture frustrated after a 0-0 draw with Crystal Palace.
It’s a game which will mean a lot to Erik ten Hag, facing his boyhood club which he played for and managed.
The United boss has already admitted he’d rather play someone else as he does not want to hurt his former club – but he will just have to.
A strong start is needed to progress comfortably in this new revamped Europa League structure, and so we expect a strong line-up.
How Manchester United will line-up vs Twente
If Ten Hag aims to add to the United trophy collection, and continue his record of a trophy every season, the Europa League is as likely as any,
Therefore he is unlikely to go as rotated as against Barnsley, but we imagine there will still be wholesale changes. Here’s our predicted line-up,
Altay Bayindir
Starting in goal we imagine will be Altay Bayindir after he kept a clean sheet against Barnsley – despite facing zero shots. Bayindir was treated unfairly last season, but this season Ten Hag seems a lot more willing to rotate.
Noussair Mazraoui
At right-back, we expect Diogo Dalot to get a rare rest and therefore in the reverse of last week against Barnsley, Noussair Mazraoui starts with the Portugal international rested.
Harry Maguire
In centre-back, we imagine Ten Hag will rest the inform Matthijs de Ligt, and so Harry Maguire should step into the team. The former United captain is expected to benefit from the tournament.
Lisandro Martinez
Lisandro Martinez has enjoyed a far better start to this season than last, and we expect he will start here with Ten Hag maybe not quite trusting Jonny Evans.
- READ MORE: Who is Lisandro Martinez? Step inside the life of Manchester United’s tenacious Argentine
Toby Collyer
Toby Collyer impressed at left-back last week, and after not being involved for the U21s against Doncaster, he seems likely to feature.
Manuel Ugarte
More minutes in the legs for Manuel Ugarte and more minutes to learn the system after his move from PSG. That being said it would be no surprise to see Casemiro start.
Christian Eriksen
Christian Eriksen was an unsung hero vs Barnsley, scoring twice and all round being excellent. He was superb again against Crystal Palace and deserves to start here with Kobbie Mainoo getting a rest.
Antony
In a bid to keep Amad Diallo fit and not overplayed, Antony should get another chance to impress here. He’ll be against a Dutch side which is how he made his name too, so we should see a good display.
Mason Mount
Replacing Bruno Fernandes for this one we imagine will be Mason Mount who recently returned from injury. This could be a huge chance for Mount to prove Ten Hag right.
Marcus Rashford
On the left, Alejandro Garnacho gets rested after back-to-back starts, with Marcus Rashford thrust back into the starting line-up.
- READ MORE: Who is Marcus Rashford? Inside the life of Man Utd’s book-writing, government-tackling ace
Rasmus Hojlund
Finally, up top, we expect to see Rasmus Hojlund handed a first start of the season and he will be desperate to score some goals and make good on the influence of Ruud van Nistelrooy.
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
