Manchester United will host Bayern Munich needing a miracle to qualify for the knockouts of the Champions League. Over the weekend, both teams were humiliated at home by Bournemouth in the Premier League, where the Red Devils lost 3-0, while Thomas Tuchel’s team unexpectedly lost 5-1 to Eintracht Frankfurt in the Bundesliga.
Preview (Manchester United vs. Bayern Munich)
Worst hosts first in an exciting Champions League match on Tuesday. Man United needs a specific sequence of events to occur to slip into second place behind Bayern. They have already been officially declared the group champions. The FC Red Devils have been involved in plenty of high-scoring matches this season in the European Cup. Their trip to Galatasaray on November 29 was no exception. However, Erik ten Hag’s team suffered a catastrophic collapse, losing 2-0 and 3-1 leading to draw 3-3.
When Kerem Akturkoglu’s thunderbolt rocketed into the roof of the net, Man United found themselves bottom of the section on four points and realized that a victory on Tuesday would be necessary to extend their journey in Europe’s top competition. A familiar sensation of doom and gloom descended. To avoid a demotion to the Europa League or elimination from continental football, which would further sour the festive mood, the Red Devils would need Copenhagen and Galatasaray—both of whom are one point better off—to play out a stalemate in their match.
Man United was temporarily living in a winter wonderland against Chelsea. Although Bournemouth was living the dream at the Theatre of Dreams this past weekend. They humiliated Ten Hag’s team 3-0 in the Premier League. It forced the Dutchman to publicly acknowledge that his team was “not good enough”. When it comes to recent home embarrassments, Ten Hag and his opposite number Thomas Tuchel can at least relate to one another. The German champions lost to Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday in bizarre circumstances. It marked their first Bundesliga loss of the season. The Bavarians had already conceded three goals before the Germany international curled home from the area’s edge. There were little comforted by Joshua Kimmich’s magnificent finish.
Team News
The majority of Man United’s injured players won’t be playing anytime soon. Despite the latter’s recent return to full training, Lisandro Martinez (foot), Casemiro (thigh), Tyrell Malacia (knee), Christian Eriksen (knee), and Mad Diallo (knee) are expected to miss this match. Before Bayern arrive, Mason Mount (calf) and Victor Lindelof (knock) will also require one-overs. Jadon Sancho’s exclusion from the team is unlikely to end anytime soon. Marcus Rashford has been limited to the bench this month, is returning from a European ban.
After such a dismal showing over the weekend, Ten Hag should consider a few changes. Players like Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Debbie Mainoo, Rasmus Hojlund, and maybe even Raphael Varane could gain from some much-needed rotation. Sergei Gnabry, who replaced him for just five minutes before passing away from a “major strain” that will keep him out of the game for some time, had an especially difficult time of it during Bayern’s Bundesliga thrashing at Frankfurt.
With Matthijs de Ligt (knee), Bouna Sarr (knee), Gabriel Marusic (knee), and Tarek Buchmann (hamstring) out due to injury, Gnabry will be on the sidelines. However, Man United supporters shouldn’t relax too much, as the former Arsenal winger’s injury allows Jamal Musiala to rejoin the starting lineup. Thomas Muller might make an appearance for Tuchel’s team at Old Trafford as well.
Manchester United 1 – 3 Bayern Munich
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