Manchester United are finalising preparations ahead of the arrival of Rangers for their highly-anticipated Europa League meeting.
The competition represents an undeniable opportunity for Ruben Amorim to qualify for the Champions League following a forgettable domestic campaign.
Undefeated in six outings, the Old Trafford giants occupy seventh place in the new-look European table and could climb as high as third, pending the outcome of the midweek fixtures.
Still licking the wounds of a humbling Premier League defeat to Brighton, Amorim is focused on returning to winning ways but is not looking past the visitors.
In Rangers, supporters anticipate a Battle of Britain against the Scottish powerhouse, with Philippe Clement hoping to build upon the 11-point haul they presently retain.
A 13-point domestic deficit to arch-rivals Celtic will stand for nothing when a partisan Glasgow crowd makes their way to the North West, hoping to add to the sense of gloom in Manchester.
Team News
Although Victor Lindelof returned to training following a month of inactivity, the former Sporting chief is eager to allow him more time at Carrington before consideration for selection.
Additionally, Luke Shaw and Mason Mount remain unavailable following separate issues, although both have upped rehabilitation sessions towards a potential February return.
“Vic is training, but I prefer to do extra work today because I want him for a long time, not just to put him [in] right away,” Amorim told MUTV.
“For the rest, Luke is recovering really well. Mason Mount, it’s good to see them on the pitch.
“[So] just Vic [back in training], but he’s not in the squad.”
Jonny Evans remains a long-term absentee, but a visibly happy Marcus Rashford trained with the first team and has supporters wondering if he will make the matchday squad.
“We expect a tough match, a lot of physicality during the game,” the United boss added.
“We know that some important players from Rangers will not play and we have to know the new players to understand the way that they play.
“They play with the full-backs really high on the pitch and they have talent to score in the final thirds.
“It is one more difficult game but it is important for us because we want to keep in the playoffs and we need to have that [extra] time to train. I expect the same thing we faced in the last games, a really tough match, a lot of physicality and also the fans from Rangers making some noise.
“So we are prepared, our fans are prepared and we want to win.”
I’ve said similar on multiple occasions throughout a traumatic season, but history bodes well for United in fixtures against their Scottish opposition.
Having met four times, the Reds have won three and drawn one without conceding a goal. Furthermore, Rangers have managed a solitary English victory from eight European away ties (Drawn two, Lost five).
Interestingly, after collecting back-to-back European victories since arriving at Old Trafford, Amorim can replicate Sir Matt Busby and Sir Alex Ferguson in becoming the third manager/head coach to win their first three competitive European fixtures at the club.
Bruno Fernandes could make his 50th appearance in the competition and boasts 37 goal contributions (20 goals and 17 assists). Few would bet against the captain adding to that record on Thursday evening.
Play is set to get underway in the North West at 20:00 BST, with an expectant Stretford End hoping for a better showing.
Will we see a Manchester United response against Rangers? Let us know in the comments or across our socials.
Recent Posts
- James Scanlon | Embracing the expectation at Manchester United
- Manchester United 1-1 Fulham (3-4 on pens) | Five Talking Points
- Manchester United endure penalty defeat to Fulham in FA Cup
