Manchester United will play hosts to RB Leipzig at the Red Bull Arena on Tuesday night looking for the one point which will send them into the knockout phases of the UEFA Champions League.
However, the Red Devils suffered an embarrassing 3-1 defeat in their own backyard as Neymar’s brace cast some major doubts over their qualification. Ole Gunnar Solksjaer will opt for a 4-2-3-1 formation as he looks set to recall his first-team stars for this midweek clash.
Team News
Having reported no fresh injuries from the enticing 3-3 stalemate vs Bayern Munich, Julian Nagelsmann will be looking forward to fielding the strongest possible starting XI in the final group stage clash vs Manchester United.
However, he will be without the services of Benjamin Henrichs, forwards Hwang Hee-Chan and Fabrice Hartmann, first-choice right-back Lukas Klostermann, midfielder Konrad Laimer and the highly-rated centre-back Dayot Upamecano(suspended).
Meanwhile, Ole Gunnar Solksjaer is expected to make three changes from the 3-1 win vs West Ham with Cavani, Martial, and Dean Henderson to make way for Bruno Fernandes, Marcus Rashford, and David De Gea respectively.
Left-back Luke Shaw (hamstring) remains sidelined, whereas Martial and Cavani (muscle) have been left out of the travelling squad. Fred remains suspended for the trip to Germany having picked up a red card against Paris Saint-Germain.
Tactical Preview and Key Men
Ibrahima Konate will retain his spot at the heart of Leipzig’s defence while Willi Orban is expected to come in for Dayot Upamecano, whose absence might turn out to decide the fate of the match in United’s favour as he got suspended after receiving his third yellow card of the group stage against Istanbul Basaksehir.
Angelino and Mukiele, starting as fullbacks, will be up against the likes of Greenwood and Rashford respectively as the United duo look set to use their prodigious shift in pace to outshine their markers.
To protect the backline better, the services of Kevin Kampl might be called upon in midfield, starting alongside Marcel Sabitzer.
Fielding a 4-3-3 formation, the main emphasis of the home side will be on outnumbering Ole’s men at the centre of the park to nullify the threats possessed by Paul Pogba and Bruno Fernandes. Furthermore, with Fred set to miss out, the Red Bulls look extremely likely to dominate the midfield battles, and hence, the possession.
Yussuf Poulsen is expected to lead the line-up with Forsberg playing the role of an attacking midfielder to break down the defence that has shipped seven goals in their last four matches across all competitions.
RB Leipzig Champions League form: L-W-L-W-L-W
Manchester United Champions League form: L-W-W-L-W-L
RB Leipzig Predicted XI (4-3-3): Peter Gulacsi, Nordi Mukiele, Ibrahima Konate, Willi Orban, Angelino, Marcel Sabitzer, Kevin Kampl, Emil Forsberg, Amadou Haidara, Yussuf Poulsen, Dani Olmo.
Manchester United Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): De Gea, Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Maguire, Telles, Van De Beek, McTominay, Pogba, Fernandes, Greenwood, Rashford.
Our prediction
RB Leipzig 2-2 Manchester United.
