Sheriff Tiraspol-Manchester United is a match valid for the second day of the Europa League group stage and will be played on Thursday at 18:45
SHERIFF TIRRASPOL – MANCHESTER UNITED
Manchester United’s winning streak came to a halt in their Europa League opener. After four wins in a row in the league, the Red Devils were caught out by Real Sociedad in one of two direct clashes for first place in the group. It was a performance in stark contrast to the last few, which had brought serenity back to Old Trafford after a forgettable start. A sign that not all the problems are behind Erik ten Hag, the former Ajax coach called upon to turn around the fortunes of a glorious and wealthy club, but one that has been through some turbulent and unsatisfying years.
Against the Basques, the ‘fire’ that had characterised Bruno Fernandes and his team-mates in the challenges against Liverpool and Arsenal, two big names who paid the price in United’s ‘home’, was not seen. It could be due to motivational factors, as some insiders say in England, but not even the presence of Cristiano Ronaldo – the Portuguese was back on the pitch from the 1′ – has served to shake up the team that is currently in fifth place in the Premier League.
The fact is that in the standings Manchester United are already forced to chase and winning in the away match in Tiraspol, in the Moldovan region of Transnistria, is almost mandatory. Sheriff, in fact, are on three points, as are Real Sociedad, who in the meantime should be able to get the better of the Cypriots from Omonia Nicosia, already battered at home 0-3 by the Stjepan Tomas-coached team. The Red Devils arrive at this challenge rested, having not played on Sunday due to the postponement of the Premier League match day, while Sheriff racked up their third consecutive victory, keeping them firmly at the top of the table.
The Prediction
On paper there should be no history between Sheriff and Manchester United, but in this type of match sometimes concentration can play tricks. Last year the Transnistrian side made both Inter and Real Madrid suffer in the Champions League: they are less strong than then, but facing them at home is never a walk in the park. United are likely to win by a narrow margin in a match in which, however, not many goals will be seen, taking into account the good defensive organisation of the hosts.
The likely Sheriff Tiraspol-Manchester United line-up
- SHERIFF TIRASPOL (4-3-3): Koval; Zohouri, Kiki, Radeljic, Kpozo; Badolo, Kyabou, Diop; Ouattara, Atiemwen, Akanbi.
- MANCHESTER UNITED (4-2-3-1): De Gea; Dalot, Varane, Martinez, Malacia; Eriksen, McTominay; Antony, Bruno Fernandes, Sancho; Cristiano Ronaldo.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 0-1
