(Football news) Manchester United will aim to get at least a point to progress into the knockout round of the UEFA Europa league when they take on Sheriff Tiraspol at Old Trafford. Erik ten Hag’s side are currently second in Group E behind Real Sociedad while their opponents have only had one win in the competition so far. The Red Devils drew 1-1 against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in their last match with Casemiro scoring a late header to salvage a point. Manchester United are currently unbeaten in their last six games in all competitions and haven’t lost two Group Stage games at Old Trafford in a European competition since the 1996-97 season.
Sheriff Tiraspol has recently switched to a three man backline but the change in strategy hasn’t paid dividends. The team are currently battling it out with Omonia Nicosia for a place in the UEFA Conference League while their manager Stjepan Tomas handed in his resignation after Sheriff lost 1-0 to Petrocub courtesy of Vladimir Ambros's header. Tomas took responsibility for the result, claiming that his team were too preoccupied with the match at Old Trafford and have won just four out of their last nine games across all competitions. In the reverse fixture, goals from Jadon Sancho and Cristiano Ronaldo secured a 2-0 victory for Manchester United and both players will look to get back on the scoresheet this time around, especially considering that their recent form has been far from impressive.
In team news, Raphael Varane is expected to be out of action until the World Cup which means Victor Lindelof could start with Lisandro Martinez in the centre of defence. Cristiano Ronaldo will be back in the squad after being suspended against Chelsea for refusing to come on in the match against Tottenham Hotspur and walking off while the game was still going on. The likes of Donny van de Beek, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Harry Maguire are now available for selection but Anthony Martial, Brandon Williams and Axel Tuanzebe remain unavailable. It would be in Ten Hag’s best interest to go with his strongest lineup to seal a place in the knockout round as early as possible.
As for Sheriff Tiraspol, right-back Armel Zohouri is suspended after being sent off against Real Sociedad while Iyayi Atiemwen and Moussa Kyabou are available for selection. Goalkeeper Maksym Koval is expected to be replaced by Dumitru Celeadnic while Atiemwen could join Rasheed Akanbi and Felipe Vizeu in the final third. A straightforward victory for Manchester United seems like the most likely result from this fixture and Ten Hag will hope none of his players sustain any injuries.
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