Manchester United might already know their Europa League final starting line up - two roles are up for grabs

Ruben Amorim essentially confirmed his Manchester United starting line up against Athletic Club last weekend when he made eight changes against Brentford. The Portuguese head coach reverted to the same side that won 3-0 in Bilbao a week ago, with the simple task of ensuring they did not capitulate at home against a side who were without their three best attacking players.

It meant Amad Diallo was named on the bench after his recent injury return, with the Ivorian deemed an unnecessary risk from the start in a tie that was essentially already won. United will carefully manage the 22-year-old for the remainder of the season and look to work him up to a start when they play the Europa League final later this month.

The real question regarding Amad is where he fits into this line up under Amorim. He played his best football as one of the attacking midfielders, but given the form of both Bruno Fernandes and Alejandro Garnacho in those roles, it could be as a wing-back where he comes into the side and plays a pivotal role in the remainder of their season.

Two positions up for grabs

Victor Lindelof redeemed a poor performance in the first leg with a crucial goal-line clearance, but struggled again during the second leg at Old Trafford. The fact the 30-year-old is still at United is alarming enough, the fact he has been relied upon as a starter for their two biggest matches of the season is even more so.

Lindelof is certain to leave the club in the summer transfer window and while his parting gift might be Champions League football, it would be a shock if he started the final in Bilbao later this month. If not for an injury to Diogo Dalot, he most likely wouldn’t have started either semi-final tie and even if the Portuguese defender doesn’t play again this season, it might not be enough to keep his place in the team.

The return of Amad Diallo gives United a more complete option at right wing-back and means Noussair Mazraoui can return to the central defensive role in which he has shone all season. The other position up for grabs is in attacking midfield. Alejandro Garnacho has started the last 14th matches across all competitions and only missed one game all season, but it can’t be ignored that he has been wasteful too. Mason Mount made a compelling case to start the final and if he can stay fit in the next two matches, he could work his way into the side. United are not only in the final, they might already know their starting line up for it as well.

Mason Mount steals the show

As soon as he arrived at Manchester United, Ruben Amorim admitted he ‘loved’ Mason Mount. Old Trafford fell in love with him, too, on Thursday night. The 26-year-old has endured a difficult start to his life in Manchester, but there have been glimpses of the quality he possesses.

Mount began his comeback with a slick goal against Brentford last weekend and took his United career to a new high with a sensational substitute appearance against Athletic Club. The former Chelsea star not only found the back of the net twice, but he also added energy and enterprise to a lifeless attack with his most complete performance yet.

It is still too early to get carried away by Mount as a the stereotypical ‘new signing’ but this was a reminder of why United moved quickly to sign him for £55 million two years ago.

We meet again

Ruben Amorim might not have admitted it but there was an air of confidence around Manchester United ahead of a second leg in which they already held a 3-0 lead and were playing at home against a side without their three best attacking players. Surely not even this United side could throw that one away. In the end, it was as straightforward as they could ever have wished for.

The neutrals will have tuned into the other semi-final as Tottenham travelled to Norway with a 3-1 first-leg lead over Bodo/Glimt, for a match that was still firmly in the balance. It soon transpired that an all-English final would be on the cards later this month.

United have lost all three previous meetings with Tottenham this season. They will all be forgotten if they win the only one that matters.

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