Champions League Preview: RB Leipzig vs Manchester United

RB Leipzig vs Manchester United | Champions League | Red Bull Arena | KO: 20:00 GMT | BT Sports

After coming back from behind, yet again, against West Ham United, Manchester United enter the most important week of the season so far.

They face Manchester City on Saturday, but first come up against RB Leipzig away from home on Tuesday night, in the final group stage match of the UEFA Champions League, knowing a point will be enough to see them into the round of sixteen.

How Do Manchester United Look?

Embed from Getty Images

Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford both started on the bench against The Hammers at the weekend, but were called upon at halftime to turn the game around after an abysmal opening 45 minutes from United.

Boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was likely hoping to save the pair for Tuesday’s clash, as both are expected to start in this crucial game.

Attacking duo Edinson Cavani and Anthony Martial will both be missing from the game, with Solskjaer confirming they both have slight injuries.

“Anthony and Edinson, they had minor things, but they won’t make the trip, no” said the manager.

Luke shaw, however, has travelled to Germany, having missed the last few matches due to injury.

Dean Henderson made his first Premier League start for United against West Ham, with David De Gea still suffering from the knock he picked up against Southampton. De Gea is expected to be available for selection again as he was pictured with the travelling squad.

Embed from Getty Images

Paul Pogba scored United’s equaliser at the weekend, with an impressive strike from outside the box.

It is, again, however, his agent’s comments that have brough him most attention this week. Speaking to Italian TV, Mino Raiola said “He is unhappy at Manchester United, he can’t manage to express himself like he wants… he needs to change teams”.

The circus surrounding Pogba, his agent and Manchester United has gone on for too long, and a final decision needs to be made, for the benefit of all involved. Either he gets sold, or he (and his agent) gets his head down, and gets on with his football.

Whether Pogba starts against Leipzig or not, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will have a lot of questions to answer surrounding the Frenchman’s future.

Opposition: RB Leipzig

RB Leipzig, alongside United and PSG, sit on 9 points in the group stage of the Champions League.

Their head-to-head record, however, means they would have to beat The Reds in order to progress through to the next round.

They will be without star defender Dayot Upamecano, who is suspended, whilst fellow centre half Lukas Klostermann is a doubt due to injury.

Embed from Getty Images

The hosts drew 3-3 with European champions Bayern Munich at the weekend, showing they are no pushovers, despite what United’s 5-0 victory in at Old Trafford over them might suggest.

Key Stats

United look more impressive away from home, than they do at Old Trafford this season. In the Premier League, they have won a record nine consecutive away matches, whilst they have struggled at home in the league. Hopefully, their domestic away form can be replicated in Europe.