Manchester United require only a point from Thursday's final UEFA Europa League group-stage match against Zorya Luhanskand travel to Odessa, Ukraine, knowing a win could be enough to top their pool.
Manager Jose Mourinho's side currently sit second in Group A and are just a point behind leaders Fenerbahce, who travel to third-place Feyenoord on Thursday after beating the Dutch team 1-0 in Istanbul back in September.
One major boost for the Red Devils is the fact Zorya have already been consigned to a Europa League exit, however, meaning head coach Yuriy Vernydub could name a weakened lineup for his side's closing European fixture.
Read on for a roundup of the latest team news ahead of United's climactic Europa League Group A clash, complete with viewing information and a preview of the meeting at Odessa's ChornomoretsStadium.
Date: Thursday, December 8
Time: 6 p.m. GMT/1 p.m. ET
Venue: Chornomorets Stadium, Odessa, Ukraine
Live Stream: BT Sport app (UK), Fox Soccer 2 Go (U.S.)
TV Info: BT Sport 3 (UK), Fox Sports 1 (U.S.)
| Zorya Luhansk | Manchester United |
| Zorya Luhansk 2-3 Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk | Everton 1-1 Manchester United |
| Karpaty 2-2 Zorya Luhansk | Manchester United 4-1 West Ham United |
| Fenerbahce 2-0 Zorya Luhansk | Manchester United 1-1 West Ham United |
| Zorya Luhansk 1-2 Oleksandria | Manchester United 4-0 Feyenoord |
| Chornomorets 0-0 Zorya Luhansk | Manchester United 1-1 Arsenal |
Soccerway
Team News
After several months of injury difficulties, Mourinho's United squad is approaching full fitness heading into a packed December schedule, with Luke Shaw and Chris Smalling the only lingering doubts travelling to Ukraine.
Samuel Luckhurst of the Manchester Evening News confirmed the defensive duo are now the only remaining concerns for Mourinho, and Shaw would be a welcome return at left-back this Thursday:
@samuelluckhurst is shaw injured?
@Andy_Gorman Yes. Mourinho said he was a doubt on Friday. Smalling only other player injured.
Matteo Darmian has deputised in that position during portions of Shaw's absence, although Mourinho may not risk the England international for fear of Shaw suffering another setback on his road to recovery.
The other big boost for Mourinho is the return of Eric Bailly, who was on the bench in Sunday's 1-1 draw at Everton. The manager spoke highly of the Ivorian as he bids to make his first appearance since coming off in the October defeat to Chelsea, per United's official website:
We need that. It's impossible for the same players to play every match and in this moment we are having that because of a lack of available options.So to have Eric back is good news, even though it is only for a few weeks because we know he goes to the Africa Cup of Nations very soon [in January], but at least in this busy period of Christmas we have one more option. That's important.
Phil Jones and Marcos Rojo have performed well as a centre-back unit while Smalling and Bailly have been sidelined, but the latter in particular stands to bring some class back to the role if he starts against Zorya.
Vernydub's hosts travel to Stal Kamianske on Sunday when they return to Ukrainian Premier League action, and with their Europa League fate already sealed they may decide on fielding a second-string team rather than risking their top stars.
Preview
Sunday's 1-1 draw at Goodison Park was United's third such result in the span of five matches, with drubbings of Feyenoord and West Ham United—scoring four goals against each—in between.
Anthony Martial shone near his best on Merseyside and told MUTV (h/t United's official website) he's expecting a stiff task in their trip to Odessa, despite beating Zorya 1-0 in the reverse fixture back in September:
It is very different – not just the supporters but the weather! Over there, it’s really cold at this time of the season. But it’s down to us to come to terms with that, adapt to the environment we find ourselves in and get the victory we need.You prepare as well as you can and rest on the plane, but a lot of it can be in your head. It’s how you approach things mentally. It’s about what happens on the pitch; if you do your stuff out there, that’s what counts.
Zorya have scored just two goals in their previous five Group A outings, stealing 1-1 draws each time they've managed to break the deadlock, which could be seen as a bad omen for United considering their recent trend in results.
Full Time DEVILS predicted a stroll over the Ukrainian outfit before returning to underwhelming ways in time for Sunday's clash against Tottenham Hotspur, although a Thursday win is far from sealed:
So frustrating. There have been clear improvements under José and he deserves/needs timebut need results. It's that simple. #MatchdayMac
Knowing our luck we'll smash Zorya, play Spurs, lead one-nil and concede a late equaliser. *sigh* #MatchdayMac
It's worth noting Zorya are yet to lose at home in Europe during the group stage, and only once have Vernydub's men conceded more than once in a game, losing 2-0 at Fenerbahce last month.
The minnows may be preparing to dig their heels in for one last show of defiance against their European opponents on Thursday, meaning United face a fight in order to get their hands on three crucial points.
Nenhum comentário:
Postar um comentário