Manchester United will look to keep pace with AZ Alkmaar in Group L of the Europa League when they welcome Partizan Belgrade to Old Trafford.
United’s Europa League campaign so far this season has been a mixed bag, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer‘s side having demonstrated their very best defensive displays in the competition as they are yet to concede having faced each of AZ, Partizan and Astana once in the group stage.
However, it has been a different story going forward with United managing just two goals themselves in the competition, namely Mason Greenwood’s strike against Astana at Old Trafford and Anthony Martial’s penalty in Belgrade last time out, and therefore Solskjaer will be looking for an all-round performance this evening. Follow the game live:
Man Utd 2 – 0 Partizan
45 mins: Ashley Young picks up a ball in the Partizan box and has a shot but puts it well, well, wide of goal.
Man Utd 2 – 0 Partizan
42 mins: The goal continues to evade Marcus Rashford. He makes a run into the box and the ball is played up to him. Stojkovic comes off his line and makes himself big. Rashford tries to send the ball over him but the goalkeeper saves the shot and wins a goal kick.
Man Utd 2 – 0 Partizan
39 mins: Asano makes a run down the right and fends off McTominay before Rojo comes across and boots the ball into the stands.
Man Utd 2 – 0 Partizan
36 mins: The Manchester United fans have not stopped singing since the kick off. The second goal has just seen them up the volume once again.
Partizan are all at sea, they can’t handle what United are bringing and are struggling to get the ball out of their own half.
Man Utd 1 – 0 Partizan
30 mins: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will be encouraged by what he’s seen so far. United have been impressive in attack, Rashford in particular is causing problems when he runs at the defensive line.
Man Utd 1 – 0 Partizan
27 mins: Soumah brings the ball forward for Partizan and United’s defenders drop off him. He’s still a long way out but he goes for goal and misses.
So does Martial! He combines with Rashford to create some space and when the ball comes back to him he shoots and puts the ball over the bar.
Man Utd 1 – 0 Partizan
24 mins: McTominay is fouled by Zdjelar and the Partizan man stays down after receiving an unintentional elbow to the face.
United boot the ball forward and keep possession.
Man Utd 0 – 0 Partizan
18 mins: Partizan make it hard for United to take possession of the ball but they don’t do anything with it. McTominay eventually wins it back but Fred is tackled and a heavy pass meant for Asano rolls it’s way to Romero.
Man Utd 0 – 0 Partizan
15 mins: Partizan send a throw in into the area but Man Utd clear and Greenwood wins a free kick.
Wan-Bissaka is sent down the right by McTominay this time, he picks out Rashford in the box and Rashford hits the volley but puts it over the bar.
Man Utd 0 – 0 Partizan
12 mins: Mata takes a corner for Manchester United, who have started the game well, but he delivers the ball straight into the hands of Stojkovic.
Partizan get the ball down the other end of the pitch quickly and Asano passes it to Sadiq. He tries to return the favour but Romero comes out of goal and collects the ball.
Man Utd 0 – 0 Partizan
9 mins: Chance! Greenwood gives the ball to Wan-Bissaka who makes his way forward on the right wing. Wan-Bissaka puts the ball into the middle of the box, it beats a few players before coming to Rashford who hits it first time and puts the shot wide.
Martial plays the ball into the box and Mata makes the run. He collects the ball and lays it off to Rashford. Rashford shoots with his left but Stojkovic makes the save!
Man Utd 0 – 0 Partizan
6 mins: Maguire gives the ball away with a poor pass. Natcho picks it up and lays the ball off to Sadiq who chips it over Romero and into the net. He’s offside too so both teams have a goal ruled out.
Man Utd 0 – 0 Partizan
3 mins: Sadiq chases a ball that comes over the top and he puts Harry Maguire under pressure but Man Utd’s central defender holds him off and releases the ball to Rojo.
United then work the ball forward and Rashford burst through three men and plays the ball into the box. Martial runs on to it and slots the ball into the back of the net but the offside flag is raised.
The teams are ready to go, they’re in the tunnel and kick off is next…
Ten minutes until kick off, which United will we see?
The free flowing, forward pressing United that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer imagines or the slow stunted creativity-less United that have turned up so far this season?
The warm ups are underway at Old Trafford, it’s going to be a wet night for the players as the rain continues to pour.
Prediction
Manchester United suffered a set back at the weekend and only just edged past the Serbians last time out in this competition, but should have enough quality to beat them at home, even with a changed side.
2-1 to Manchester United is our prediction.
Odds
Manchester United 2/5
Draw 16/5
Partizan 10/1
When is it?
The match kicks off at 8pm GMT on November 6.
How can I watch it?
The match will be aired live on BT Sport 2, with coverage beginning at 7.30pm.
Subscribers can also watch the game via the BT Sport app, or online via the BT Sport player.
Team news
Paul Pogba is expected to be out until December, while Luke Shaw, Nemanja Matic and Axel Tuanzebe are likely to return after the international break. Diogo Dalot is also expected to miss the game, along with longer-term absentees Eric Bailly and Timothy Fosu-Mensah.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has given chances to a number of younger players in this competition, so there could be further opportunities for James Garner, Mason Greenwood and Brandon Williams.
Predicted line-up
Manchester United: Sergio Romero; Phil Jones, Harry Maguire, Marcos Rojo; Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Fred, James Garner, Brandon Williams; Jessse Lingard, Juan Mata, Mason Greenwood.