Manchester United will play Omonia Nicosia in their Europa League outing tonight at Old Trafford and will be looking for an easier victory than last week’s 3-2 comeback triumph. The game was decided when Erik ten Hag substituted in Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial, who both made significant contributions. If Man United are to get the three points this evening, they will have to do it without Martial. The Frenchman was hurt before Sunday’s match against Everton. Even though he started the game, he was taken off at the half.
Cristiano Ronaldo was subbed on and had an immediate influence that night. The Portuguese superstar has earned a starting spot tonight thanks to his game-winning goal at Goodison Park. So far in the 2022/23 season, Ronaldo has had a rough go of it. But this past weekend, he showed encouraging indications in a win against Everton. The Portuguese superstar shone for Manchester United and reached a personal milestone with his 700th club goal. As of this game against Omonia Nicosia, the veteran striker will be looking to put together a string of solid outings. A goal of Erik ten Hag’s is to help Ronaldo reach his full potential, he has said.
The 2022–23 UEFA Europa League season got off to the worst conceivable start for Manchester United, as the club lost 1-0 at home to Real Sociedad. However, the Red Devils have won two in a row, moving them up to second place in Group E. The team’s overall play has been satisfactory, as they have won seven and lost two of their previous nine matches.
The Red Devils have relied on a brand of high-intensity counter-attacking football which earned them great wins against Arsenal and Liverpool, but they have often struggled to play the same kind of football versus teams which sit back and are a tightly knit defensive unit. In the counterattack against Omonia last match, they often lost the ball in trying to move it quicker due to the lack of space which allowed the Cypriot outfit to launch an attack which eventually led to Omonia scoring the opener. This time around Erik Ten Hag will be hoping to keep possession but utilize it more effectively. With technical midfielders in the form of Eriksen and technical wingers in Sancho and Antony, there will be a great number of chances to finish for Cristiano Ronaldo who will hope his luck doesn’t remain the same as it was in these teams’ previous match-up. Sancho must be confident and take on the defenders a bit more. While this isn’t always possible in a counterattacking system, he would be able to showcase his flair brilliantly versus Omonia.
Omonia Nicosia, on the other hand, will finish last in Group E of the 2022/23 Europa League. Neil Lennon’s squad has struggled thus far this season, losing all three games they’ve played. The Cypriot team’s home record is not much better than their overall record; they have won three and lost three of their six matches played at home so far this season.
TEAM NEWS
Erik ten Hag’s preparations for Omonia Nicosia’s upcoming visit have been hampered by a fresh injury worry on the coach’s end. Six starters for Manchester United will be unavailable for Thursday’s game, according to the team’s management.
A hip injury suffered by Anthony Martial in the first half against Everton will keep him out of action in Thursday’s match. Harry Maguire, an Englishman, is also out for Manchester United as he nurses a hamstring injury. Other players waiting on the bench include Axel Tuanzebe, Brandon Williams, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, and Donny van de Beek.
Raphael Varane was able to play against Everton last weekend because he was well enough to be included in the matchday squad. Moreover, the Frenchman should replace Lisandro Martinez in the starting eleven. ten Hag may decide to sit the Argentine international against Real Sociedad since he is one yellow card away from a suspension.
As a result, Varane will be paired alongside Victor Lindelof in the middle of Manchester United’s defence. David de Gea should continue to start in goal, while Diogo Dalot and Luke Shaw should start as the two outside backs.
Scott McTominay’s midfield spot in the Premier League starting eleven was taken by Casemiro on Sunday. His comeback is expected against Omonia, where he will start with Christian Eriksen in the double pivot. There should be some adjustments made to the attacking group as well.
In Martial’s absence, Cristiano Ronaldo will take the offensive reins for Manchester United against Omonia. The other player who should be back is Jadon Sancho, who will have another shot to make an impression on the left wing. Marcus Rashford should receive some break, but Antony and Bruno Fernandes should keep their starting roles.
When his team travels to Old Trafford to face Manchester United, Neil Lennon won’t have to worry about injuries or suspensions to key players as his rival would. The Omonia Nicosia manager will be able to use his full-strength team on Thursday. Adam Lang’s suspended tightrope is the only thing to worry about.
But unlike Manchester United’s Lisandro Martinez, Omonia’s Lang will keep his starting berth. He will be playing in the middle of the defence with Nemanja Miletic and Hector Yuste, both of whom are international stars for Hungary. On Thursday, Konstantinos Panagi will replace the aforementioned keeper and anchor the back three.
Against Manchester United, Omonia will play in a 3-4-3 configuration with Adam Matthews and Jan Lecjaks on the wings. When Charalambos Charalambous lines up next to Mix Diskerud in the centre of the park, he’ll be trying to keep things tight there.
Since Karim Ansarifard scored for Omonia last week, he should take the lead in their assault when they face Manchester United. Along with the Iranian striker, the attacking line will also consist of Bruno Felipe and Loizos Loizou.
PREDICTED LINEUPS
Manchester United predicted lineup vs Omonia: de Gea; Dalot, Varane, Lindelof, Shaw; McTominay, Eriksen; Antony, Bruno Fernandes, Sancho; Ronaldo.
Omonia predicted lineup vs Manchester United: Panagi; Miletic, Lang, Yuste; Matthews, Charalambous, Diskerud, Lecjaks; Loizou, Ansarifard, Bruno.
