- Date: Tuesday December 12 – 20:00 GMT
- Location: Old Trafford, Manchester, England
- Teams: Manchester United vs Bayern Munich
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Man United must beat Bayern to keep Euro hopes alive
Two giants of European football come together for the final group match. While the hosts need to win, visitors Bayern Munich have already won Group A. Both teams come into the match on the back of domestic defeats.
Manchester United
It has been a strange season so far at Old Trafford. Supporters have been concerned with the amount of games lost, both domestically and in Europe, and with the manner of many of the performances. However, they have racked up a good number of Premier League wins and are still very much in the shake up for a European place. But the Champions League has been a massive disappointment and they go into this final group game with matters out of their hands.
After surrendering a two goal lead in the away match at Galatasaray this is a must win game for Manchester United. Not only must Erik ten Hag’s side beat Bayern Munich but they must hope that Copenhagen and Galatasaray draw the other match in order to progress to the last 16. Should the Red Devils beat Bayern and there is a winner in the other match in Group A, Erik ten Hag’s side will finish in third place and drop into the Europa League. They come into the match after a hugely disappointing result and performance in the shape of a 3-0 home loss to Bournemouth.
Lisandro Martinez (foot), Casemiro (thigh), Tyrell Malacia (knee), Christian Eriksen (knee) and Amad Diallo (knee) are all expected to be out. Mason Mount (calf) and Victor Lindelof (knock) are doubtful and face fitness tests. Jadon Sancho is still excluded from mthe squad but Marcus Rashford is available to return to European action after serving a one match ban.
Bayern Munich
Bayern Munich have lived up to their billing as favourites to win the group, with qualification and top spot in Group A already wrapped up. Domestically Bayern are going for an amazing 12th consecutive Bundesliga title, and are currently placed four points behind leaders Bayer Leverkusen in second. Despite crashing out of the German Cup this is shaping up to be another good season for Bayern and they will be desperate to make a real impact in the Champions League. They come to Old Trafford after suffering their first league defeat of the season, a 5-1 hammering at Frankfurt.
Harry Kane, who joined the German Champions from Tottenham in the summer makes a return to English shores and he will be determined to put in a good performance against a team who were rumoured to be competing for his signature. The England captain has been in blistering goal scoring form this season and he will be keen to notch at Old Trafford.
However, with Bayern confirmed as group winners, Thomas Tuchel may decide to rotate his squad to keep players fresh for the Bundesliga.
Serge Gnabry suffered a major muscle strain in the defeat to Frankfurt. Matthijs de Ligt (knee), Bouna Sarr (knee), Gabriel Marusic (knee) and Tarek Buchmann (hamstring) are all out. Jamal Musiala to return to the starting XI.
Prediction
It is do or die for Manchester United and even if they do secure a win it might not be enough. Bayern may be already securely in the last 16, but they do not like losing and should Tuchel shuffle his pack his fringe players will be determined to stake a claim. I think that United, who are showing signs of improvement, will put in a performance but I struggle to make a convincing case for them beating Bayern. I predict a score draw and, given the way the Red Devils have been conceding, it might be worth going for over 2.5 or 3.5 goals if you want to add value.
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