Manchester United welcome Bayern Munich to Old Trafford for today’s crucial Champions League group stage clash.
The Red Devils suffered an embarrassing 3-0 Premier League to Bournemouth at home on Saturday. It was a completely unexpected result and manager Erik ten Hag will be eyeing a strong response from his side tonight.
United must beat Thomas Tuchel’s side to have any chance of making the round of 16 of the Champions League. Aside from three points, the club also require Copenhagen and Galatasaray to share the spoils to go through.
The club don’t have their last 16 destiny in their favour but need to concentrate on their own performance. United have a big challenge on their hands, considering Bayern are 39 games unbeaten in the group stage.
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Predicted Line-up:
Andre Onana has played every minute for United in goal this season. The Cameroonian star had a poor outing in Europe last time around where he made two high-profile errors versus Galatasaray. He will be aiming to make amends with a clean sheet.
In front of him, we anticipate two changes in the backline. Luke Shaw was not at his best in the centre-back position versus the Cherries and he was easily beaten by Philip Billing in the air for the second goal before the hour mark.
In our view, Shaw should be reinstated in his preferred left-back role with Raphael Varane coming in to partner Harry Maguire in the heart of the defence versus Bayern.
Varane has not started a game since October, but it appears the right time to include him with his big-game experience, given Victor Lindelof is doubtful with an injury.
With the need for more defensive cover, Aaron Wan-Bissaka could replace Diogo Dalot at right-back.
In midfield, Scott McTominay may drop to the bench for Kobbie Mainoo. Sofyan Amrabat and Mainoo would be better as a pairing in our view with their defensive qualities.
McTominay possesses an attacking threat and likes to make regular forward runs but that leaves the defensive midfielder isolated. It was a regular case versus Bournemouth.
There could be a solitary change in attack. Antony, Bruno Fernandes and Alejandro Garnacho make our XI based on his recent form. Anthony Martial is expected to drop to the bench.
Martial did not make any difference leading the line versus the Cherries and he should be be swapped with Rasmus Hojlund, who has been a revelation in the group stage.
The Danish star has yet to score his maiden Premier League goal, but he has excelled in Europe with five goals and will be aiming for a few more to get the better of Bayern.
How Man Utd could line up vs Bayern Munich
Stats from Transfermarkt.com
