Michael Carrick, Wayne Rooney and Phil Jones are the only players not available for selection in the Europa League first leg game against AS Saint-Étienne. Jones is still out injured where as both Carrick and Rooney have been rested. In Rooney’s case, being rested is certainly surprising as he has not been playing much anyways. Mourinho confirmed that Luke Shaw won’t be starting as he is very happy with the current back four.
Mourinho is expected to stick to the 4-2-3-1 formation which has brought United victories against Leicester and Watford in the Premier League. Although this will be a tougher test, bigger tests await United in the forthcoming months. Anthony Martial will look to continue his impressive form along with Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Juan Mata who have been in good form recently. Mourinho will definetly be aiming to go all the way in the Europa League as it offers a way into the Champions League next season. It actually might turn out to be an easier way of qualification with the level of competition at the top of the Premier League this season.