
Manchester United host Bayern Munich in a must-win encounter in their last group game of the Champions League on Tuesday, and both clubs will be looking for a response after heading into the clash on the back of heavy league defeats.
The Red Devils lost 3-0 to Bournemouth on Saturday, while the Bundesliga giants also succumbed to a 5-1 drubbing against Eintracht Frankfurt to suffer their first league defeat of the season.
Both managers will be desperate for all three points at Old Trafford, but Bayern boss Thomas Tuchel expects Man United to be on top of their game on Tuesday.
“Yeah, true – I analyse them, I see a lot of individual quality and I also see many, many good things,” the former Chelsea manager told the Sun when asked if both clubs are like wounded beasts at present following weekend’s result.
“But it can happen like they (Man United) seem completely in the driver’s seat, like in Istanbul and some minutes are enough to shake the whole thing up.
“Every defeat is about the reaction. There is no sport without defeat – it’s a heavy one for us.
“I did not see the Manchester United game, but the circumstances show it is clear United need to win.
“It is set for a reaction from our team and we desperately need one. This is what I see, but we also have our issues to solve.
“It is not about judging Manchester United – it is about analysing them.
“And in the good moments, they are very, very good and we expect them to be in the best shape.”
Bayern are already through to the round of 16 as Group A leaders, and while the next game is a dead rubber to them, they are unlikely to treat it as one.
A defeat will end the Red Devils’ European campaign for the season as they are currently bottom of the group.
However, a victory will hand them a place in the knockout stage of the Champions League or Europa League, depending on the result between Copenhagen and Galatasaray.
However, whether they have what it takes to secure a win against such a team remains to be seen, with Harry Kane and their top stars expected to be involved.
Man United have been handed an injury boost as Brazilian midfielder Casemiro has returned to training after spending several weeks on the sidelines injured, but the game could come too early for him.
The former Real Madrid star could struggle to influence the proceedings even if he gets to feature against the Germans, and it is safe to say that Erik ten Hag’s side have their work cut out for them.
They cannot be completely ruled out despite being underdogs, and grabbing a win is very much possible.
Everyone has to be on top of their game and cut out the mistakes if they want to be playing in Europe during the second half of the campaign.
