(Football news) Suffering his 25th domestic defeat of a grim campaign, Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou played a weakened team at Villa Park last time out, as Antonin Kinsky started in goal and rising star Mikey Moore featured in the final third.
Among others, they will make way in Bilbao, as Dominic Solanke, Rodrigo Bentancur, Brennan Johnson and Pedro Porro all return, along with first-choice goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario.
Long-serving captain Heung-min Son made an impact on his first start after recovering from a foot injury, but he must still see off competition from Mathys Tel and Richarlison to join Johnson and Solanke up front.
Towards the end of an injury-hit season, ‘Big Ange’ is without Dejan Kulusevski, James Maddison, Lucas Bergvall, Timo Werner and Radu Dragusin due to injury, while Pape Sarr was forced off against Aston Villa on Friday night.
If Sarr should miss out, then Bentancur, Archie Gray and Yves Bissouma would most likely man Tottenham’s engine room, with width provided by flying full-backs Porro and Destiny Udogie.
Postecoglou’s preferred central defensive partnership – injury-prone pair Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven – will reunite, relegating Kevin Danso and Ben Davies to the bench.
Tottenham Hotspur possible starting lineup: Vicario; Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Udogie; Sarr, Bissouma, Bentancur; Johnson, Solanke, Son
The Red Devils head back to Bilbao – where they conquered Athletic Club in the semis – with selection dilemmas still facing head coach Ruben Amorim, who has consistently tinkered between games since his arrival.
Amorim brought back some of his regular starters for Friday’s league loss to Chelsea, having rested several for the defeat to West Ham United, but it remains to be seen who will get the nod behind lone striker Rasmus Hojlund.
Mason Mount and Amad Diallo have both made an impact since returning from injury, while Kobbie Mainoo cannot be ruled out, and Argentinian winger Alejandro Garnacho will also be keen to shine on the big stage.
With inspirational skipper Bruno Fernandes – who has been directly involved in 11 Europa League goals this season – set to play just ahead of central midfield pair Casemiro and Manuel Ugarte, only one place may be up for grabs.
Up front, Hojlund has scored just three times in his last 15 appearances, but with Joshua Zirkzee joining centre-back Lisandro Martinez on the sidelines – and Chido Obi ineligible – there is no real alternative, aside from fielding a false nine.
Elsewhere, defensive duo Matthijs de Ligt and Leny Yoro are both doubts due to injury, while utility man Diogo Dalot is still struggling with a calf problem.
That creates some uncertainty about the composition of United’s back three, with Harry Maguire most likely to start – any two from Yoro, De Ligt, Victor Lindelof, Luke Shaw and even Noussair Mazraoui could join him.
Manchester United possible starting lineup: Onana; Lindelof, Maguire, Yoro; Mazraoui, Ugarte, Casemiro, Dorgu; Diallo, Fernandes; Hojlund
Also read: Manchester United receive injury boost before the UEL final
