Erik ten Hag

United v Sheriff: Early team news

Tuesday 25 October 2022 07:00

Manchester United are back in European action on Thursday night, as we host Moldovan Super Liga champions Sheriff Tiraspol at Old Trafford (20:00 BST kick-off).

A point would be enough to secure qualification to the Europa League knockout stages, but all three are required if we are to maintain the pressure on Real Sociedad at the top.

The first-placed team in the group progresses straight to the round of 16, with second having to negotiate a two-legged tie against one of the eight teams dropping out of the Champions League, to win the right to go through to that stage.

Erik ten Hag has, so far, selected strong sides for our European clashes this season as we seek to make up the ground on Real Sociedad, who emerged victorious in M16 in the opening Group E clash.

Ten Hag provides Varane injury update

 Article

Erik ten Hag delivers the latest news on Rapha after he went off at Stamford Bridge.

At least one change is expected from the XI which drew 1-1 at Chelsea on Saturday, with Raphael Varane departing that game early and in tears, after stretching awkwardly while attempting to challenge Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

Ten Hag said further assessment would be required, but early reports coming out of France suggest the injury is not as severe as first feared. An update is expected at Wednesday’s pre-match press conference.

Cristiano Ronaldo was left out of the trip to West London, while Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Donny van de Beek and Harry Maguire have all been sidelined with injury recently, although Wan-Bissaka and Maguire have returned to the training pitch, alongside fellow defender Brandon Williams, who is not registered in our Europa League squad.

Anthony Martial has not been involved in any of the four matches played since he was substituted at Everton, but he is also getting closer to a return.

“He was on the [training] pitch, but he's not available for tomorrow,” Ten Hag said in his pre-Chelsea press conference on Friday. “We have to see how it develops in the coming days.”

United will work as a squad today at Carrington, so stay tuned for updates and further clues as to who might be involved on Thursday.

One further thing to note from a team news perspective is the two bookings picked up by Lisandro Martinez so far during the group stage, meaning the Argentinian defender is one yellow away from a suspension in the competition.

Highlights: United v Omonia Nicosia Video

Highlights: United v Omonia Nicosia

Short match highlights | Watch two minutes of action from our Europa League group-stage game at Old Trafford...

SHERIFF TEAM NEWS

Sheriff right-back Armel Zohouri is suspended for this game, after he was sent off during the 3-0 defeat at Real Sociedad for picking up two yellow cards in the first half.

Moussa Kyabou and Iyayi Atiemwen served bans in San Sebastian but are free to return for the Old Trafford trip.

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