Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Wayne Rooney are reportedly facing a straight fight at Manchester United for their Premier League place.
The attacking pair are currently struggling to nail down a regular place in Jose Mourinho’s first XI.
But both are set to start in tomorrow’s Europa League clash at Old Trafford against minnows Zorya Luhansk (8.05pm).
It will be a chance to show their worthiness to the manager, especially after Mourinho dropped his captain from the side which beat Leicester 4-1 on Saturday.
According to the Manchester Evening News, though, Mkhitaryan and Rooney are going head-to-head ahead of Sunday’s clash with Stoke.
United host the Potters in the Premier League with a spot potentially up for grabs and Mourinho is said to be undecided yet between the duo.
The boss must be convinced he should change the team who comfortably saw off the reigning champions.
And the No.10 role could be the one altered against Stoke with it being both players’ main position.
Marcus Rashford, Jesse Lingard and Juan Mata were United’s attacking trio in midfield this weekend, and the latter impressing in the centre.
But Spaniard Mata has also featured on the right side, meaning Mkhitaryan or Rooney could earn their way back in.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic expected to continue up front having displayed brilliant form as Mourinho’s first-choice hitman, ahead of Rooney.
While Mkhitaryan has also battled to prove his fitness after a thigh injury, he is now fully fit and ready to become United’s key No.10.
Meanwhile, Manchester United continue their Europa League campaign this week when they take on Ukrainian side Zorya Luhansk at Old Trafford.
Jose Mourinho’s team sprung back into form on Saturday as they hammered Leicester City 4-1 and will be looking to build momentum on Thursday.
Zorya are currently second in the Ukrainian Premier League having finished fourth last season.
They entered the group stage of the tournament rather than qualifying as Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk, who finished third in Ukraine last season, were disqualified by the UEFA Club Financial Control Body and Zorya took their place.