Manchester United will host Bayern Munich at Old Trafford on Tuesday in an attempt to salvage their slender UEFA Champions League Round of 16 qualification hopes.
Matchday 6 of the group stage will conclude the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 this week. Tuesday night at Old Trafford will feature the marquee match of the most recent phase, between Manchester United and Bayern Munich.
Manchester United, currently sixth in the Premier League standings, have experienced an abject 2023/24 season thus far. This season has commenced with the Red Devils having lost eleven games in comparison to their eleven victories. This past week, the team suffered its most recent setback, a 3-0 home loss to Bournemouth. In contrast, Erik ten Hag’s squad has suffered three consecutive losses in their five encounters and is currently anchored to the bottom of their group in the UEFA Champions League.
Conversely, Bayern Munich suffered a disappointing opening to the 2023–24 season, falling to RB Leipzig in the DFL Supercup final. In the meantime, over the past weekend, Thomas Tuchel’s squad suffered their first Bundesliga loss, falling four points behind the league-leading Bayer Leverkusen. However, after four victories in their first five games (D1), the Bavarian titans have already advanced to the Round of 16 of the UEFA Champions League.
The rematch was a goal-fest that concluded with Matyhs Tel scoring the game-winning goal as Bayern Munich defeated the opposition 4-3. In anticipation of the most recent encounter between the two teams, The Hard Tackle examines the encounter in greater detail.
Team News & Tactics
Manchester United
Erik ten Hag was pleased to receive a favorable update regarding team news before his team’s most recent match. On Tuesday, the manager of Manchester United will be without the services of a minimum of six first-team players against Bayern Munich.
Casemiro has resumed training in advance of his match against Bayern Munich on Matchday 6. Tuesday, however, the Brazilian international may not be healthy enough to start. Amad Diallo (knee), Lisandro Martinez (foot), Tyrell Malacia (knee), Christian Eriksen (knee), and Mason Mount (calf) continue to be sidelined.
Jadon Sancho continues to be unavailable as a result of his protracted dispute with Erik ten Hag. During his absence, Marcus Rashford and Antony are expected to start on the flanks for Manchester United, while Rasmus Hojlund leads the аttаck against Bayern Munich.
In the final third, Bruno Fernandes will resume his customary duties, while Scott McTominay will assist him in advanced positions. The midfield unit will be completed by Kobbie Mainoo, who will attempt to provide support in front of the defensive quartet.
Regarding the defensive line, Raphael Varane is expected to make his uncommon return to the field after Victor Lindelof withdraws. At the center of the defense, the Frenchman will partner Harry Maguire; the two fullbacks are Luke Shaw and Aaron Wan-Bissaka. Andre Onana, in conclusion, ought to start in goal for the host team.
Probable Lineup (4-1-4-1): Onana; Wan-Bissaka, Varane, Maguire, Shaw; Mainoo; Antony, Bruno Fernandes, McTominay, Rashford; Hojlund.
Bayern Munich
In contrast to his counterpart in the Manchester United dugout, Thomas Tuchel’s preparations for the voyage to Old Trafford are being hindered by a new ιnjury concern. On Tuesday, the Bayern Munich manager will be without four first-team players.
The most recent absentee is German international Serge Gnabry, who suffered a hamstring complaint last weekend against Eintracht Frankfurt. Tarek Buchmann (thigh), Matthijs de Ligt (knee), and Bouna Sarr (knee) have been joined on the sidelines by the 28-year-old.
Manchester United will deploy Manuel Neuer in the penalty area, as the visitors adopt a 4-2-3-1 formation in advance of him. Tuchel should make significant substitutions on the flanks, while Konrad Laimer, Dayot Upamecano, Kim Min-jae, and Raphael Guerreiro comprise the defensive quartet.
Regarding the midfield unit, Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretzka are indispensable. Both players will attempt to exert control over the game from their deep-lying positions. This will enable the оffensive quartet comprising Jamal Musiala, Harry Kane, Leroy Sane, and Thomas Muller to readily operate within the final third.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Neuer; Laimer, Upamecano, Kim, Guerreiro; Goretzka, Kimmich; Musiala, Muller, Sane; Kane
Key Stats
– Bayern Munich has won five and drawn five of 12 UEFA Champions League games against Manchester United (L2).