Europa League Team of the Week: 5-star Manchester United dominate

 

Here we run through the best WhoScored rated XI from Thursday's Europa League action. Manchester United are all but through to the next round after a 5-0 win away to Austrian side LASK, although it's unclear whether there will even be a next round following UEFA's decision to postpone both of their club competitions.

 

Goalkeeper: Koen Casteels (Wolfsburg) - 7.46 rating

 

Wolfsburg suffered a disappointing 2-1 loss at home to Shakhtar Donetsk on Thursday but the margin of defeat would have been worse had it not been for goalkeeper Koen Casteels. The 27-year-old saved a penalty, part of four saves made by the Wolfsburg shot-stopper.

 

Right-back: Brandon Williams (Manchester United) - 7.91 rating

 

With Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Diogo Dalot both unavailable, Brandon Williams got to play in his natural right-back position for the first time for Manchester United's senior side. United romped to an easy 5-0 win away to LASK, where Williams made four tackles and interceptions combined and completed five dribbles.

 

Centre-back: Eric Bailly (Manchester United) - Eric Bailly - 8.21 rating

 

Aside from one rash piece of defending, Eric Bailly turned in another accomplished display on his long road to rediscover his best form in United's rout of LASK. The Ivory Coast international won seven aerial duels and made eight clearances in a domiant display at the back, in addition to making four tackles and interceptions combined.

 

Centre-back: Omar Alderete (FC Basel) - 7.94 rating

 

FC Basel romped to a surprise 3-0 win away to Bundesliga side Frankfurt to put themselves in a commanding position in their last-16 Europa League tie. Centre-back Omar Alderete was the pick of the bunch at the back for the Swiss side, with eight clearances and six tackles and interceptions combined.

 

Left-back: Paulo Otavio (Wolfsburg) - 7.57 rating

 

Paulo Otavio is the second Wolfsburg player to make the XI after an eye-catching display at the both ends of the pitch. The Brazilian left-back impressively made seven interceptions against Shakhtar, as well as making two tackles and as many clearances. In attack, the 27-year-old managed two shots, registered one key pass and completed one dribble.

 

Right wing: Juan Mata (Manchester United) - 7.73 rating

 

Juan Mata made the most of a perfect Fred through ball to net his first goal for Manchester United since January in a dominant win in Austria on Thursday. Mata had four attempts on goal in total and registered two key passes in another solid display from the experienced Spaniard.

 

Europa League Team of the Week: 5-star Manchester United dominate

 

Central midfield: Samuele Campo (FC Basel) - 8.64 rating

 

Samuele Campo has developed into a key player for FC Basel in the knockout stage of the Europa League with successive WhoScored Man of the Match displays in the competition. The Basel midfielder scored and assisted in their 3-0 win at Frankfurt, his first goal involvements in the competition this season. Having only registered four key passes in his previous six Europa League appearances this season, Campo managed five in 78 minutes in Frankfurt.

 

Central midfield: Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United) - 8.49 rating

 

Bruno Fernandes oozed class in his latest Manchester United display, registering the assist for Odion Ighalo's wondergoal. Fernandes has scored or assisted in all but one of his seven starts for United in all competitions. The Portugal international was particularly deadly from set-pieces and registered six key passes in total before coming off in the 78th-minute. 

 

Left wing: Daniel James (Manchester United) - 7.86 rating

 

Daniel James' goal drought came to an end in Austria after netting for the first time since August in Manchester United's comprehensive victory at LASK. James hit the target with both of his attempts on goal, completed 92.9% of his attempted passes and drew four fouls before coming off with 20 minutes remaining.

 

Striker: Kai Havertz (Bayer Leverkusen) - 7.97 rating

 

Kai Havertz helped put Bayer Leverkusen in a dominant position in their last-16 tie with Rangers after scoring in their 3-1 win at Ibrox. Havertz, who played through the middle for Leverkusen, kicked off the scoring with a first half penalty. It was his only shot of the match but he did registered two key passes in the win and won three aerial duels. Furthermore, the 20-year-old completed three dribbles and even helped out at the back with three clearances.

 

Striker: Odion Ighalo (Manchester United) - 9.61 rating

 

Odion Ighalo's dream start to life at Manchester United continued on Thursday after opening the scoring in Austria with a wonderstrike in the first half. Ighalo was denied a second by the woodwork but registered the assist for James' goal. The 30-year-old also completed five dribbles and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has even hinted the club could make his switch permanent if his current form continues. He claimed the WhoScored Player of the Week from Thursday night's action.

Europa League Team of the Week: 5-star Manchester United dominate