A sigh of relief will be breathed around Old Trafford on Tuesday night. The uncanny feeling of being away when you are actually in front of your home fans will be laid to rest temporarily when Mircea Lucescu's Shakhtar gang come to town. David Moyes, yet again, ensured that two of our proud records became history at the weekend. A 41 year old home run v Newcastle left the record books with speed. Also, for the first time in eleven years, the red army lost two home games on the spin. Another very disturbing news which has since been debunked by MANCHESTER UNITED is that Robin Van Persie has asked to leave the club for reasons incomprehensible to many of us.
Manchester United and Shakhtar Donetsk lurk horns in a straight shoot-out for top spot in the Group. Something that will prevent either of them from meeting the big dogs of European Football. Moyes, defiant as he may sound, knows better than to face Bayern, Real Madrid, Barcelona or PSG in this condition. It will be suicidal.
The under pressure Moyes has fared better in Europe this season. He has yet to lose a European game and was an RVP penalty away from winning at San Sebastian.. United's record under Moyes reads- 5P-3W-2D Status-Q. Q-Qualified for the Round of 16. The game against the Ukrainian club is important for confidence to be restored in the set-up ahead of a difficult away trip to Birmingham this weekend. But it won't be easy as they are coming up against a rejuvenated team who have garnered for straight wins in all competitions and know that for qualification to be a certainty, they must match or better whatever result Bayer Leverkusen achieve at the Basque County. Beating Xabi Prieto won't be bread and butter. The red army know that only a point is required to ensure top spot is sealed going into the busy Christmas period. Bad as the situation is, changes are expected to be rang in various departments.
PREDICTED LINE-UPS-
MANCHESTER UNITED-
Lindegaard, Smalling, Rio, Evans, Buttner, Anderson, Giggs, Valencia, Young, Rooney, Welbeck
With matches coming thick and fast over the next few weeks, David will know better than to risk the fitness of Robin Van Persie who hasn't completely recovered from his groin strain. The Dutch National team captain showed glimpses of what he is capable of doing last weekend, but hasn't hit top gear yet. Danny Welbeck scored the opener in the reverse fixture two months ago and should partner Wayne Rooney in attack if everything goes as planned. Marouane Fellaini cannot get into the team at the moment and that is down to his dismal performances thus far. Tom Cleverley is in a world of his own and in there, only those who don't know the basics of football climb the ladder of success. The TC23 brand is rather dull. The evergreen Giggs consistently delivers on the big stage even at the ripe young age of 40. He is expected to be selected in midfield alongside Anderson or Jones.
SHAKHTAR DONETSK-
Pyatov, Srna, Rakitskiy, Kucher, Shevchuk, Wellington Nem, Fernando, Taison, Teixeira, Costa, Adriano
Lucescu is spoilt for choices in defence, midfield and attack. With the BRAZILIAN TRIUMVIRATE of Costa-Adriano-Teixeira, he can rest easy and be sure that whoever is picked in the United rearguard will most likely buckle. Wellington Nem has slowly worked his way into the Starting eleven in recent matches and Darijo Srna remains one of the best right backs in the World, although he is massively underrated. He tormented Manchester United at the Dombass Arena and will have the freedom of Old Trafford to replicate the exact same thing.. It is common knowledge that United have no left back. Evra is non-existent.
Ohireime P Eboreime
@ohiskaka1990
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