Yahoo Sports Manchester United vs FC Twente – Match preview and team news
European football returns to Old Trafford on Wednesday evening following a year-long hiatus, as Manchester United commence their Europa League campaign by welcoming Eredivisie outfit FC Twente.
The Red Devils booked their spot in the prestigious competition after beating local rivals Manchester City in the FA Cup final despite not qualifying through the league standings.
FC Twente earned their place by finishing third in the Dutch top flight and it will be their first appearance in the competition proper since the 2012/13 campaign.
United lifted the trophy in 2017 under Jose Mourinho against Ajax and Erik ten Hag will be hoping they can achieve that feat with him at the helm.
The Dutchman has no new injuries to contend with and this game might be a good opportunity to reinstate members of the squad who have been sidelined due to injury, such as Mason Mount and Rasmus Hojlund.
Manchester United vs FC Twente match preview and team news
Form
Manchester United: LLWWD
The Red Devils had to settle for goalless draw away at Crystal Palace on the wekendas both sides squandered key opportunities and both goalkeepers performed to a high standard.
The statistic that will please ten Hag is the fact that United have now kept three consecutive clean sheets and haven’t conceded a goal in 324 minutes of football.
Since the debacle at Anfield prior to the international break, the ship has steadied and the additions of Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui look like astute acqusitions from Bayern and have certainly helped United be more resolute defensively.
They put three past Southampton on the South Coast before dismantling League One Barnsley 7-0 to see them through to the fourth round of the Carabao Cup and they will be aiming to emulate those type of ruthless performances in Europe.
FC Twente: DLDWW
Twente are in this competition as a result of a shortcoming, as they were narrowly beaten on aggregate by Salzburg in the final Champions League qualification tie.
The final deficit was a mere one goal as the Austrian giants won 5-4 on aggregate despite the second leg ending 3-3.
But, Joseph Oosting’s side have started to build momentum at the correct time as they won 5-0 against Almere City after sweeping aside Heerenveen.
22-year-old striker Sem Stein is a player to keep a close eye on, as FC Twente’s number fourteen currently leads the Eredivisie scoring charts, with six goals In as many games
Last Meeting: N/A
Manchester United and FC Twente have never played each other.
Predicted Lineups
Manchester United: Bayindir, Dalot, Evans, Maguire, Mazraoui, Casemiro, Ugarte, Rashford, Mount, Fernandes, Hojlund.
FC Twente: Unnerstall, Kuipers, Hilgers, Bruns, Salah-Eddine, Regeer, Kjolo. Rots, Steijn, Vlap, Lammers.
Who is the referee?
Italian referee Simone Sozza will be the match official. He will be assisted by Giovanni Baccini and Davide Imperiale, while Matteo Marcenaro will be the fourth official. The VAR will be Daniele Chiffi and he will be assisted by Luca Pairetto.
What TV channel is Manchester United vs FC Twente on?
Manchester United vs FC Twente ia available to watch on TNT Sports 1, TNT Sports Ultimate and Discovery+.
What time is kick off?
Kick off at Old Trafford is at 20:00 BST on Wednesday 25th September 2024.
Odds
Man United: 1/3
Draw: 19/4
FC Twente: 7/1
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