Manchester United will take on FC Rostov in the Europa League Round of 16 on Thursday. This will be the first time that the two teams will come face to face. United are sixth in the Premier League and have a good chance of finishing in the top four. If they manage to win the Europa League, irrespective of their Premier League standing, they will be able to participate in the Uefa Champions League.
On the other hand, Rostov will be coming to the game on the back of a 6-0 demolition of Tom Tomsk. The Russian side are yet to lose a European home match with the last loss coming against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League. They finished third in the Uefa Champions League group stage but got the better of Bayern Munich in the home match which they won 3-2.
United won’t be taking their opposition lightly as Rostov already proved what they are capable of by defeating Bayern Munich. The positive thing for United is they haven’t lost a match in Russia and have won their last four games in the country. Their last Champions League triumph also came in that country as they defeated Chelsea to lift the title in 2008 in Moscow.
United have been pretty inconsistent, especially at home. The Red Devils have drawn 10 matches with 7 of them coming at Old Trafford. The onus will once again be on Zlatan Ibrahimovic who recently received a three-match from FA for elbowing Bournemouth’s Tyron Mings. He would be very happy to add a few more to his 26 goals so far.
Team News And Predicted Lineups
Rostov (3-5-2)
Rostov have no major injury concerns apart from their first choice keeper Soslan Dzhanaev. He is nursing a nerve injury.
Komissarov, Mevlja, Granat, Navas; Noboa, Gatcan, Erokhln, Kalachev, Kudryashov; Bukharov, Azmoun
Manchester United (4-2-3-1)
Henrikh Mkhitaryan has travelled with the team but might not feature in the starting lineup. Eric Bailly is carrying a suspension after he got the marching orders in the last match. Luke Shaw, Wayne Rooney and Bastian Schweinsteiger haven’t travelled with the team.
De Gea; Valencia, Blind, Rojo, Jones; Carrick, Herrera; Pogba, Martial, Rashford; Ibrahimovic
Key Players
Manchester United- All eyes will be on Zlatan Ibrahimovic. The Swede has proved that age is only a number having netted 26 goals for the English outfit. He has scored in each of the European matches this season which he started.
Rostov- United defence will have to be very cautious of Aleksandr Bukharov. The centre-forward has been in great form and scored a brace in his last match.
Odds
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Manchester United: 1.80
Draw: 3.60
Rostov: 5.25
