Manchester United face a do-or-die test at Old Trafford on Tuesday night, where they face Bayern Munich in a crucial UEFA Champions League tie. Rasmus Hojlund is understood to be available to start in this crucial tie.
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Predicted Lineup & Team News for Manchester United vs Bayern Munich
Erik ten Hag Could Suffer Further Embarrassment After Bournemouth Hammering
Erik ten Hag will need to light a fire under his players after suffering a home humiliation against in-form Bournemouth led by Andoni Iraola. The Cherries left Manchester with three points after a stunning 3-0 win and they could have had more, were it not for a (correct) handball decision and VAR intervention.
Dominic Solanke opened the scoring with an excellent no-look flick into the corner in the fifth minute of the game. The Red Devil’s best chance came shortly after when an outstretched Neto tipped over a looping Harry Maguire header. Solanke gave United another warning after hitting the post on the counter-attack but the Cherries went into half-time only 1-0 up.
A comeback, however, was not on the cards for the home side. Marcus Tavernier set up Phillip Billing for a header in the second half to double his side’s lead, before providing another assist, this time from a corner for Marcos Senesi.
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If beating Bournemouth is beyond the Reds, they face a mammoth task on Tuesday, where they must win against Bayern Munich and hope for a draw between FC Copenhagen and Galatasaray. Failure to beat the German side will result in an exit from Champions League football and may even see them thrown out of Europa League contention.
The Bavarians suffered their own humiliation on the weekend, with a 5-1 defeat to Eintracht Frankfurt delivering their first defeat of the Bundesliga season. Captain Thomas Muller has sworn that they will use the defeat as an “engine of anger” against United.
Hopeless Reds Sunk After Chelsea Victory
Hopes had been high for some in Red after a well-fought 2-1 victory over Mauricio Pochettino’s Chelsea in midweek. Scott McTominay sealed a brace again in that game but could not help his side against Bournemouth.
Some key personnel decisions stuck out after the game, with Raphael Varane an unused substitute despite Jonny Evans’ late appearance. His continued absence from the side has led to speculation over his future, however, Ten Hag has previously claimed that it is due to his tactical preference of a left-footed defender at left-centre back and a lack of confidence that he can play alongside Harry Maguire.
Luke Shaw was used at centre-back as he has been in recent games, and his influence on the left was sorely missing as Sergio Regulion struggled against the brave and intense high-pressing of Iraola’s travelling side.
Marcus Rashford had suffered from illness and could not start, while Anthony Martial started over Rasmus Hojlund before being substituted early in the second half.
Such a poor performance will certainly concern Ten Hag, who may face uncertainty over his best starting eleven against the Bundesliga champions, who have won their domestic league 10 times in a row.
Team News & Injuries Ahead of Manchester United vs Bayern Munich
Summer signing Hojlund is expected to be fit to start and featured as a substitute in his side’s weekend defeat. The striker has struggled in the Premier League and is still without a goal, however, he is the joint top-scorer in the Champions League, alongside Erling Haaland and Alvaro Morata.
The 20-year-old has shown great promise and was labelled “extraordinary” by his former coach at Atalanta, Gian Piero Gasperini. His form in Europe has been strong and he provided United’s first goal in their 4-3 defeat at the Allianz in European matchday 1.
Victor Lindelof is a doubt for this game after missing the weekend match against Bournemouth. Casemiro has returned to training but is still far from match fitness.
Marcus Rashford will be available after the conclusion of his suspension following a red card against Copenhagen in matchday 4.
Manchester United Predicted Lineup vs Bayern Munich
Onana; Wan-Bissaka, Varane, Lindelof, Shaw; McTominay, Amrabat, Fernandes, Antony, Rashford; Hojlund
