Manchester United vs Young Boys Preview

Are you feeling lucky? After a seriously disappointing 0-0 home draw against Crystal Palace on Saturday, Manchester United turn their interests to the Champions League and to Young Boys in which a rare home win should surely seal progression to the next round. While Manchester United are having to feel the embarassment of being seventh, behind Everton and still on negative goal difference, Young Boys are top of the Swiss Super League by a whopping 16 points after 15 games and are currently on a seven game unbeaten run in their league (W5 D2) despite only earning one point so far in the group stages. 

As for team news, it seems that Victor Lindelof might be a doubt after showing some hamstring issues at the end of the Saturday match, although he kept playing for four extra minutes while injured. This could lead to either Phil Jones or Eric Bailly playing precious minutes this season. Anthony Martial was not at his best against Palace and spurned a decent chance with his header comfortably caught by Wayne Hennessey but should definitely start against Young Boys as on his day he is our most dangerous player. Paul Pogba was hauled off for Alexis Sanchez against Palace but perhaps that was because he could not complete 90 minutes after returning from an injury. Hopefully the World Cup winner will play the whole game at Old Trafford this time round. 

On Friday I briefly mentioned Nemanja Matic but now I am going to be blunt, he was poor on Saturday as he has been for some time. If Marouane Fellaini plays more defensively, we have the physicality that Matic brings and if Herrera, Fred or Pereira plays then that would complete the trio with a midfielder that has better passing ability than the Belgian but still allows Pogba to roam and create chances. It seems that if United are to win this game, Matic cannot be allowed to start, but I’d like to be proven wrong if the Serbian does start. Luke Shaw was suspended after receiving five league yellow cards but should start against Young Boys and give Ashley Young a rest after his underwhelming performance in which none of his twelve crosses were successful. I’ve never been a fan of Darmian ever since he was shredded by Alexis Sanchez in a 3-0 loss at the Emirates in 2015 but he was pretty good against Palace and put in some excellent crosses of which some could have resulted in a goal had fortune favoured the Devils. If asked whether he should play over Valencia or Young I would say yes, but if it were a choice between him and Dalot, the young Portugese player ought to start and continue his development. 

The reverse fixture started openly and with both teams attacking, but ultimately United were in cruise control with a brace from Pogba and a deflected effort from Anthony Martial sealed the game. Young Boys will put eleven men behind the ball and counter with pace, United need to find a way to score early and then Young Boys will have to attack and then the game can open up and hopefully so will the floodgates at Old Trafford. This has to be a victory for Manchester United as another draw or worse would be unforgiveable. I hope United do get an early goal and keep building momentum but in reality, it seems that it will be a tight game until United can compose themselves to score and I think Mata and Pogba will be pivotal in opening up the game.

Predicted Lineup: De Gea, Darmian, Smalling (c), Jones, Shaw, Fellaini, Fred, Pogba, Mata, Martial, Lukaku

PREDICTED SCORE: 2-0 to United