Champions League preview: Manchester United vs. Valencia
After having their weekend fixture against Blackpool being postponed due to bad weather, Manchester United are expected to be rather fresh going into their midweek fixture against Valencia. The team's two highest scoring strikers Dimitar Berbatov and Wayne
Rooney are expected to be paired up front, in hopes that the two would provide goals for the Red Devils on the night. It was previously expected that Michael Owen would be brought back into the side, but it now appears like Alex Ferguson does not want the
striker to return until he is completely recovered.
This past weekend Valencia were defeated by a score line of two goals to nil at the hands of Real Madrid and as a result are expected to be looking to take the game to United at Old Trafford. The team's coach Unai Emery is reported to have said the following
in the build up to the game: "We've got two objectives: the first was to qualify, the second was to finish top of the group. We've achieved the first and now we're going for the second. We want to taste victory at a place like this, which would set our
stall out and send out a warning sign to the other clubs."
However Valencia's attempts at trying to beat United might fall short as the team's first-choice keeper, Cesar Sanchez is reported to be struggling with a hamstring injury and is still a doubt for the game.
Both Manchester United and Valencia are through to the knock out stages of the Champions League, but a win tonight for either team would see them go into the next round as group leaders and that would have its own set of perks.
United and Valencia are both through. United will top the group unless Valencia beat them at Old Trafford. Rangers are sure of their Europa League place and Bursaspor are out.
Some notable match facts going into the game are:
The last time these two teams took on each other, there were only three shots fired on target by both teams combined.
So far United have managed to pick up only two yellow cards in the Champions League
If Manchester United manage to go on through to the next round without conceding a goal, they will manage to set a new Champions League record.
Tags: