The message is clear – win or we’re out of the Champions League.
With two defeats in two games, United simply must win three of their remaining four group fixtures and hope Bayern continue to dominate the group.
Tuesday’s match against Copenhagen is – on paper – the easiest of three.
The time to perform is now
Whilst not a mathematical certainty, realistically United won’t qualify for the CL group stages without beating Copenhagen tomorrow. A brave, but ultimately fruitless away performance against Bayern was followed up with a calamitous home defeat to Turkish side Galatasaray – both on and off the pitch, with thousands of Galatasaray fans infilitrating the home end.
What should have been plain sailing has turned into a major storm at sea, with the Reds’ Champions League dreams sinking fast.
The outlook: positive
Despite their two defeats, United did show some good signs in both Champions League games so far – individual errors let the teams down on both occasions. We also have back-to-back League wins to take into this game and Copenhagen are no Bayern Munich or Galatasaray.
Manchester United
It’s still a weakened United team, but we should at least be able to field a back four playing in their favoured positions; with Sergio Reguilon looking likely to return from injury.
Andre Onana has a point to prove after his two poor Champions League games for the Reds.
Casemiro is suspended and there is as yet no update on Jonny Evans. Raphael Varane is doubtful whilst longer-term injuries to Luke Shaw, Lisandro Martinez, Tyrell Malacia, Kobbie Manoo, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Amad Diallo persist.
Predicted XI:
We’re predicting a strong line-up for this crucial game – Andre Onana must start delivering in the Champions League
A performance and result to match
This season, there have been precious few matches where United have performed convincingly and got the right result too.
Performances have generally been below-par, but there were good shifts put in at Arsenal, Bayern and one or two other games that ultimately ended in defeat. A lot of United’s wins have been scrappy or fortunate; including, arguably, the last two league games.
The Crystal Palace League Cup victory is probably the best example this season of a good performance and matching result, but in all honesty, it’s been far too infrequent for a club with the stature and resources of Manchester United.
It would be great to see a commanding performance and convincing result tomorrow to give lift-off to our Champions League campaign.
Prediction
Manchester United 4-1 FC Copenhagen
United are long overdue a dominating home performance and in the grand scheme of European football, Copenhagen are minnows compared to United’s other group stage opponents. Rashford is a due a goal and a big performance after an anonymous few weeks, and Rasmus Hojlund should be fired up against his boyhood club after a glowing, MOTM performance against Galatasaray.
Having said that, we still don’t trust our leaky defence to keep a clean sheet.
Come on United!!
