Jose Mourinho would have had a sigh of relief after his team managed to silence his critics with a thumping victory over Leicester City at the weekend. However, the job is not done yet before the break for the Red Devils who started their European campaign with a loss to Feyenoord a couple of weeks ago. The Red Devils will be back in action this week in the Europa league as they welcome Ukrainian outfit Zorya Luhansk to the Old Trafford for the 2nd game of the group stage of the European competition.
Both teams are fresh from victories at home in the most recent league game and it will be interesting to see if the visitors have enough fire power in their team to trouble Mourinho’s star-studded lineup. Here is the preview of this game, along with the team news, predicted lineups, predictions and betting odds:
The Europa League group stage tie between Manchester United and Zorya Luhansk will be played Thursday, the 29th September at the Old Trafford in Manchester. The kick-off is scheduled at 8:05 pm (12:35 am on Friday).
Team News:
Manchester United welcome back the likes of Henrikh Mkhitaryan who is back in training ahead of this game after picking up an injury in the Manchester derby earlier this month. Paul Pogba and Zlatan Ibrahimovic are not expected to play a role in this game and are rested. Wayne Rooney might be back in contention for this game along with the likes of Memphis Depay, Marcos Rojo, and Matteo Darmian.
Yuriy Vernydub does not have too many injury issues ahead of this trip to England. The likes of Mykyta Kamenyuka, Vladyslav Kulach, and Opanasenko are all expected to start this game for the visitors.
Expected Lineups:
Manchester United:
Romero; Darmian, Smalling, Bailly, Rojo; Schneiderlin, Carrick, Mkhitaryan, Mata, Depay; Rooney
Zorya Luhansk:
Shevchenko; Sivakow, Opanasenko, Forster, Gordienko; Kamenyuka, Ljubenovic, Grechyshkin, Petryak, Karavaev; Kulach
Key Battles:
Wayne Rooney vs Mikhail Sivakow:
The Manchester United skipper was dropped to the bench against Leicester City at the weekend but will be brought back into the starting XI for this Europa League game. He will be expected to provide an attacking threat that will have to be soaked up by Belarus international Sivakow. The 28-year old is an experienced defender and will be up to the task on the night and Rooney will have to be at his best to get something from this game.
Vladyslav Kulach vs Eric Bailly:
New to the scene in Europe with United, Eric Bailly, Mourinho’s only defensive summer buy will be under tremendous pressure for this game against Zorya. Kulach, who has been in decent form of late, will be up to the task on the night and will be a constant threat for the home side, which needs to be taken care of by Bailly at the back for the home side.
Key Stats:
Zorya have scored in ten of their last 11 European games (including qualifiers), netting 20 goals (1.8 goals per game).
Man United are unbeaten in 11 European games at Old Trafford (including qualifiers), winning eight and drawing three.
This is the first time that the clubs will meet in any competition over the years.
Betting Odds:
Man Utd – 1/6
Draw – 6/1
Zorya – 20/1
Predictions:
Playing at home, Manchester United will be firm favorites to take all three points from the game but with a number of star players missing from the squad, Zorya have a decent chance of an upset at the Old Trafford. It will be the first time that every player and the manager from the Ukrainian outfit will play at the Theater of Dreams and that might be enough for United to steal a victory.
Our Prediction: Manchester United 2-1 Zorya Lahunsk
Stats
Manchester United have conceded in 78% of their matches this season, whilst Zorya have scored in 90% of theirs. Zorya have also scored in 100% of their Europa League away days.
