One goal wins it and two injuries mar it – Manchester United’s progression to the Europa League quarter-finals involves mixed emotions.
Manchester United 1 Rostov 0 (2-1 on aggregate)
Juan Mata’s goal from a Zlatan Ibrahimovic flick was enough to see off a dogged Rostov who came mighty close to forcing extra-time in a nervy finale to what could be a costly match for the Red Devils.
Midfielder Paul Pogba limped off with a hamstring issue and defender Daley Blind also didn’t last the 90 minutes after suffering a head injury.
With fixtures, injuries and suspensions now piling up, United’s strong squad is starting to look stretched as the season prepares to reach its climax.
Mata’s winner came in the second half of a match in which Jose Mourinho’s men monopolised possession but did little with it. A late flurry from Rostov meant the sides finished with four shots on goal apiece and if it wasn’t for a couple of excellent late saves from Sergio Romero, the tie could have ended very differently indeed.
The injury to Pogba grabbed many of the headlines, with Mourinho gloomy post-match regarding the prospects of the Frenchman making a speedy return.
“I don’t know how long for sure. But there will be no Middlesbrough and no national team.”
The international break that follows Gameweek 29 could end up doing Mourinho a huge favour, allowing a number of his players the chance to recover before a hectic run-in involving 11 league matches and, potentially, a further five European ties.
Pogba is still owned by 8.3% of managers – many, presumably, in dead teams seeing as he’s done nothing of note in the league since a Gameweek 19 goal.
Regardless of his personal form, Pogba’s potential absence on Sunday against Middlesbrough will further stretch an already over-worked squad already without the suspended Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Ander Herrera.
Throw in injuries to Wayne Rooney and Anthony Martial and Mourinho doesn’t exactly have a wealth of attacking options at his disposal for the trip to the Riverside.
That will put extra pressure on Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Mata to perform. Owned by 3.1% and 2.2% respectively, the pair could be worth considering as differentials as United embark on a four-match run involving Boro, West Brom, Everton and Sunderland.
Mkhitaryan, at 8.8, might be too pricey for some. Mata (7.2) is cheaper and has form on his side – his European winner was a tenth goal of the season and the Spaniard has six in the league, including two in his last three starts.
Marcus Rashford (6.4 and 4.1%) could be another to run the rule over, particularly for the two matches – Middlesbrough and West Brom – that Ibrahimovic will miss.
Mourinho made three changes to the side that drew in Rostov, again utilising three centre-halves and wing-backs as he did in Russia.
Phil Jones was rested, although he ended up replacing Blind, and looks a good value prospect in a defence that has kept three clean sheets in their last four league matches and would hope for more of the same from that upcoming schedule.
The Europa League quarter-final ties will take place on April 13 and 20. The first leg precedes a huge clash with Chelsea, while a trip to Burnley follows the second.
With a Champions League spot awarded to the Europa League winners, Mourinho might well rotate to save his best players for continental action, particularly if United fails to make major headway in the league over the next four fixtures.
Two double Gameweeks and a strong immediate schedule make United’s players attractive, fixture congestion and Man City, Spurs and Arsenal to face towards the end of a long season muddies the waters.
Team: Romero, Valencia, Bailly, Smalling, Rojo, Blind (Jones 64), Pogba (Fellaini 48), Herrera, Mata, Mkhitaryan, Ibrahimovic.
Subs not used: de Gea, Lingard, Carrick, Young, Rashford.
