Blind looks a sure bet for final showdown in Sweden

JOSE Mourinho has all but confirmed Daley Blind will start for United in next week’s Europa League final.

The Dutchman did not travel for the penultimate Premier League game of the season at Southampton last night, and was also rested for the recent Premier League defeat at Arsenal.

Mourinho has started Phil Jones and Chris Smalling in central defence for the past three games at Arsenal, Spurs and Southampton as they audition to start alongside Blind against Ajax in Stockholm.

“Of course, yes,” Mourinho said when asked if players could force their way into the Europa League final side. “This is what they have been doing.

“Bailly is out so who plays, Smalling or Jones?”

Mourinho played the same XI in both semi-final legs against Celta Vigo and it is possible the same side could line up against Eredivisie runners-up Ajax next week.

Goalkeeper Sergio Romero has already been assured of starting ahead of David de Gea.

Antonio Valencia and Matteo Darmian will likely start at full-back, Ander Herrera, Paul Pogba and Marouane Fellaini could make up the midfield and Marcus Rashford could be flanked by Jesse Lingard and Henrikh Mkhitaryan.

United play their final game of the season against Crystal Palace at Old Trafford on Sunday.