How Mourinho Should Approach Arsenal
Crunch time point of the season has finally arrived. Jose Mourinho has made it clear that the Europa League is his number one goal at the moment to ensure a Champions League place.
With a tough list of fixtures ahead in the league starting with Arsenal at the Emirates this Sunday. How will Mourinho play his cards against Arsene Wegner?
Despite the Red Devils winning 1-0 at the Balaídos in midweek, the squad took a few more depletions. Ashley Young who came on for Henrikh Mkhitaryan, would be subbed off after picking up an injury. Along with Young, goalscorer Marcus Rashford was slow to come of the pitch when he was subbed off for Anthony Martial.
Surely Mourinho won’t push Young or Rashford’s fitness for Arsenal with the vital second leg fixture versus Celta de Vigo at Old Trafford on Thursday. Luckily for Mourinho, he does have the likes of Chris Smalling, Phil Jones, and Juan Mata back from injuries.
Although it won’t be easy, Mourinho and United should chase a top 4 spot as they deserve to be higher than 5th on the table with their incredible twenty-five match unbeaten run despite the numerous draws. United also have the squad depth to put out quality and not some sort of B team side.
The United manager has made it clear that Sergio Romero is the man in net for the Europa League. So expect David De Gea back in goal come Sunday at the Emirates.
At the back, Mourinho will most likely place Antonio Valencia in the right back position along with Matteo Darmian or Daley Blind in the left back spot. All three of these players put in 90 minute shifts on Thursday, so expect tired legs regardless.
Mourinho will likely favor the fresher legs of Chris Smalling and Phil Jones who are coming off of injuries. Eric Bailly has received high praise from Mourinho all season long, but has played a lot of matches as of late and deserves a break if he so desires to stay fresh for Thursday.
In the midfield and up top I expect Mourinho to play a similar formation to when United defeated Burnley away 2-0 a couple weeks ago. With the midfield trio of Michael Carrick, Ander Herrera and Paul Pogba.
This is the part of the pitch where United have to dictate the game. Arsenal have looked sloppy in midfield for a majority of the season with Granit Xhaka ending up to be major flop. Although Xhaka is out with an injury Sunday, none of the other Arsenal central midfielders have the experience of Carrick, energy of Herrera or flair of Pogba.
I plan Mourinho will start Anthony Martial who excelled versus Burnley in the number nine role. Along with Wayne Rooney and Jesse Lingard playing in wider roles. Expect Juan Mata to make an appearance most likely off the bench. The Spaniard has 10 goals and 4 assists in all competitions this season. It would be a spark to the side if Mata could pick up his form right where he left off.
This would be a quality XI than can beat Arsenal. Mourinho should put the Gunners on the back foot and try to attack early in the match. He should push the full backs forward and encourage link up play among the three forwards. Once United take the lead, they can drop farther back and play that ball over the top to Martial who has pace to get in behind defenders and create chances on goal.
Arsenal currently sit five points behind United with a game in hand. Expect the Gunners to come out swinging despite an inconsistent season. They have been either hit or miss this season with great wins like their come from behind extra time thriller in the FA Cup Semi-Final versus Manchester City or the loss in last weeks North London Derby at Tottenham.
Perhaps, its a classic mind game tactic from Mourinho to let the Gunners feel comfortable come Sunday. When in reality, the Red Devils are coming full steam ahead with a top four place and Europa League silverware in their sights.