Manchester United vs Anderlecht
Football: European Europa League Quarter Final
Thursday 20th April 2017 - Kick Off 8:05pm
Manchester United
The Europa League continues to look the most likely avenue back into the Champions League for Manchester United, but the players haven't given up on the Premier League top four as they showed in a convincing win over Chelsea last weekend. Some of the big names were rested in that win as Jose Mourinho rotates his squad to keep them fresh down the stretch, but confidence will be high as they get set to take on Anderlecht in the Second Leg of this Quarter Final.
The 1-1 draw last week in Brussels puts Manchester United in the driving seat, but Mourinho was upset with the 'sloppy' performance of the forwards having missed a number of opportunities to add to a 0-1 lead. The late equaliser was a blow, but Manchester United have won all 5 home Europa League games so far this season and will believe they can win this one and progress to the Semi Final.
Manchester United are unbeaten in 7 games in all competitions since their 1-0 loss at Stamford Bridge in the FA Cup Quarter Final and they have won 4 of those games. They have improved to 25 unbeaten at Old Trafford in all competitions, although Manchester United had drawn 3 of 4 games here before the 2-0 win over Chelsea last Sunday.
Luke Shaw, Michael Carrick, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Zlatan Ibrahimovic are four names who will be hoping to have a starting position for this Quarter Final Second Leg.
Anderlecht
A late equaliser in the First Leg at home has given Anderlecht a glimpse of a chance to continue their run in the Europa League this season, although this competition is clearly the second priority behind winning the Belgian top flight. This is a club who are favoured to win the title in Belgium and earn their place in the Champions League next season, and Anderlecht have made changes to their starting eleven for Europa League games for much of the season.
There is no doubt that Anderlecht would have felt the home Leg would be the key one for them in this Quarter Final and failing to win that has put them in a difficult position. They were significantly second best in the First Leg, but Anderlecht have only lost 1 of their 7 away European ties this season, although that came in the Knock Out Last 32 tie at Zenit St Petersburg in February.
Anderlecht are unbeaten in 7 games in all competitions and they have won 5 of those games which includes a 0-1 win at Oostende in the League last weekend. They had lost back to back games at Zenit St Petersburg and Mechelen away from home, but Anderlecht have bounced back by winning 3 in a row on their travels in all competitions.
Prediction
Jose Mourinho might not have been happy with the lack of clinical finishing in Brussels last week, but the cold light of day might have changed his tune as Manchester United are in a strong position to make it through to the Europa League Quarter Final. The 1-1 draw does give Anderlecht a chance, but Manchester United controlled the First Leg to such an extent that I can't see anything but a relatively comfortable win for the home team at Old Trafford.
The motivation for each team has to be considered with Manchester United sensing this is their best route back into the Champions League compared with Anderlecht who are prioritising winning the Belgian top flight. The home game with Club Brugge could be the focus for Anderlecht this week and I think they will recognise they have probably missed their best chance to progress to the Semi Final in the First Leg.
You have to respect the fact that this scoreline does give Anderlecht a chance though and playing at Old Trafford brings a motivation of its own. However Manchester United will be brimming with confidence having beaten Chelsea 2-0 here in the most convincing League performance of the season and they have been very strong in the Europa League with 5 wins from 5 at Old Trafford.
More than half of those wins have come by a wide margin and I can see the likes of Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Zlatan Ibrahimovic coming in to give Manchester United some fresh legs in the forward positions. Both have performed well in the Europa League and they should inspire Manchester United to another strong performance here.
I am looking for Manchester United to make this an easier and less tense night at Old Trafford than when they played Rostov in the Last 16 and I will be looking for them to come through with a comfortable win on the evening. Manchester United have won by at least two goals in 3 of their 5 home Europa League games and Anderlecht's sole away loss in European Football came by a two goal margin at Zenit St Petersburg.
At some point Anderlecht will have to commit men forward and I will look for Manchester United to cover the Asian Handicap as they pick off their visitors in the second half. I am expecting better finishing when the chances are presented this week from Manchester United who could have won by a wide margin in Anderlecht last week.
Head To Head
Manchester United and Anderlecht have each won one, drawn one, and lost one of their three previous meetings.
