Manchester United have to make the most out of the home pitch advantage when they host Belgian side Anderlecht at Old Trafford on Thursday for the second leg of their UEFA Europa League quarter-finals clash. The Red Devils secured a 1-1 draw in Brussels last week, so they would need a goalless draw or a win to pull through. The last time these two teams met at Old Trafford was in 2000 and back then Manchester United eased to a 5-1 victory before losing 2-1 on Belgian soil.
Manchester United extended their unbeaten streak to seven games in all competitions last weekend with a 2-0 victory over Premier League leaders Chelsea. That result surely gives Jose Mourinho's men confidence ahead of the heated battle for a top-four finish in the Premier League, but they also have the option of playing in next season's Champions League by winning the Europa League this season. Juan Mata, Chris Smalling and Phil Jones remain injured, while Wayne Rooney will probably continue to watch from the sidelines.
Anderlecht have been content with the first leg result, especially since they were trailing 1-0 at half time and only managed to scored the equalizer with ten minutes left in the game. They are on a seven-game unbeaten streak in all competitions as well, and last weekend they grabbed a 1-0 victory at Ostende to consolidate their place at the top of the league table. Andy Najar has been out of contention for a few weeks due to a hamstring problem and he will probably sit this one out as well.
Probable line-ups:
Man United: Romero - Valencia, Rojo, Bailly, Darmian - Herrera, Fellaini - Mkhitaryan, Pogba, Rashford - Ibrahimovic
Anderlecht: Martinez - Appiah, Kara, Nuytinck, Obradovic - Dendoncker, Tielemans - Bruno, Stanciu, Acheampong - Teodorczyk
My prediction: Manchester United to win 1-0.
Here are the odds for the match at Bet365:
Man United win - 1.29
Draw - 6.00
Anderlecht win - 13.00
Your feedback
Please enter your comment.
Your comment is added.
