Manchester United will aim to kick-start their UEFA Europa League campaign in style when they host FC Twente at Old Trafford on Wednesday.
The UEFA Europa League begins this week, and the new campaign will feature matches on Wednesday as the landscape of European football changes drastically. Manchester United will take the field on the day, welcoming FC Twente to Old Trafford to kick-start their continental journey for the 2024/25 season.
Manchester United reached the UEFA Europa League by winning the FA Cup last term. The Red Devils have blown hot and cold in the first few weeks of the 2024/25 season, winning as many games as they have lost. Erik ten Hag’s men showed positive signs this past weekend against Crystal Palace but somehow ended the match with a goalless draw.
On the other hand, FC Twente qualified for the UEFA Europa League by finishing third in the Eredivisie standings last season. They could have qualified for the Champions League but fell short in the third round against Red Bull Salzburg, losing 5-4 on aggregate. Meanwhile, Joseph Oosting’s men have blown hot and cold in the Eredivisie this term, winning three of their six outings thus far to sith fourth on the table.
Wednesday’s clash will be the first-ever match featuring Manchester United and FC Twente. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at the encounter ahead of the latest meeting between the two sides.
Team News & Tactics
Manchester United
Erik ten Hag does not have any new injury concerns hampering his preparations ahead of his side’s first UEFA Europa League game of the 2024/25 season. Against FC Twente on Wednesday, the Manchester United manager will be bereft of the services of four first-team players.
Tyrell Malacia has stepped up his recovery and resumed training after recovering from his long injury sojourn. However, the Dutch full-back is a long way away from being ready to take the field for Manchester United. Luke Shaw (calf), Leny Yoro (foot), and Victor Lindelof (toe) remain on the sidelines.
Andre Onana is the automatic pick between the sticks, with Manchester United lining up in a 4-2-3-1 formation in front of him against FC Twente. The backline should feature Diogo Dalot, Noussair Mazraoui, Harry Maguire, and Lisandro Martinez.
As for the midfield unit, Manuel Ugarte should return, lining up alongside Casemiro in the double pivot in the middle of the park. Bruno Fernandes will reprise the no. 10 role, with Antony and Marcus Rashford starting as the two wide attackers. Finally, Joshua Zirkzee will lead the line for Manchester United, with Rasmus Hojlund an option on the bench.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Onana; Mazraoui, Maguire, Martinez, Dalot; Ugarte, Casemiro; Antony, Bruno Fernandes, Rashford; Zirkzee
FC Twente
Like his counterpart in the Manchester United dugout, Joseph Oosting does not have many issues to deal with ahead of the trip to Old Trafford. The FC Twente manager will be without two first-team players on Wednesday.
Younes Taha is a long-term absentee due to a broken leg, and the 21-year-old will not return to action before February. Michal Sadílek is the only other player on the sidelines, with the Czech midfielder recovering from a leg injury.
FC Twente will line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation against Manchester United, with Lars Unnerstall taking his spot between the sticks. The backline should feature Bart van Rooij, Mees Hilgers, Max Bruns, and Anass Salah-Eddine.
As for the midfield unit, Carel Eiting and Youri Regger will pair up in the double pivot, with the duo aiming to keep things tight in the middle of the park. Sem Steijn will reprise the no. 10 role, with Daan Rots and Mitchell van Bergen being the two wide attackers. Finally, Sam Lammers will spearhead the FC Twente attack against Manchester United this midweek.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Unnerstall; van Rooij, Hilgers, Bruns, Salah-Eddine; Eiting, Regger; Rots, Steijn, van Bergen; Lammers
Key Stats
- Wednesday’s match will be the first-ever meeting between Manchester United and FC Twente. The Red Devils have lost just one of their nine home games against Dutch sides in all competitions (W7 D1), going down 2-1 against Ajax in the UEFA Europa League in February 2012.
- FC Twente have won only one of their 13 meetings with English opponents in all competitions (D5 L7), although it was in their most recent match against Fulham in December 2011.
- Having lost their first two home matches in the UEFA Europa League in 2012, Manchester United have lost only one of their 24 subsequent games in the competition (W18 D5).
- FC Twente are without a win in their last seven UEFA Europa League games (D4 L3), with Wednesday’s match their first appearance in the competition since the 2012/13 campaign.
- Since his debut in the competition in February 2018, Bruno Fernandes has been involved in more goals in the UEFA Europa League than any other player (35 – 20 goals, 15 assists).
Player to Watch
Rasmus Hojlund
Hojlund might not be fit enough to start against FC Twente as he continues to build his fitness and sharpness. However, another outing off the bench might be on the cards for the Danish international, who will be eager to win his place back from Joshua Zirkzee.
The 21-year-old did not make his mark after appearing off the bench against Crystal Palace this past weekend. So, Hojlund will hope to prove his credentials when Manchester United and FC Twente lock horns at Old Trafford this midweek.
Prediction
Manchester United 3-2 FC Twente
Manchester United should not take FC Twente lightly, considering the visitors tend to score multiple goals in most outings. Joseph Oosting has forged an exciting team that takes the game to its opponents at every opportunity.
With Manchester United’s midfield still regaining its footing, FC Twente can trouble the home side on Wednesday. However, the Red Devils should have the quality to overcome a tricky test to kick-start their UEFA Europa League campaign with a victory. The Hard Tackle predicts a 3-2 win for Erik ten Hag and his charges.
