While the product on the pitch may not be what it once was during the Sir Alex Ferguson era, the Manchester United brand is as strong as ever; and then some. The post-Fergie Red Devils are still a massive draw, as evidenced by the off-the-charts demand for their Europa League group stage clash at FC Astana tonight.
Fans in Kazakhstan (“great success” *Borat voice*) badly want to see the team from Old Trafford tomorrow night, even if the side they’ll be sending is comprised of mostly youngsters and inexperienced players.
ESPN FC reports that Astana: “could have sold out 10 times over due to the demand to see United” and that the club “have been overwhelmed by interest in a game that is regarded as the biggest in the club’s history.”
It’s interesting because this match doesn’t really mean all that much to MUFC, who have all but secured their place in the knockout round. However, the surge in ticket requests really speaks to the allegiance and respect for the United badge.
Manchester United vs FC Astana UEFA Europa League FYIs
MUFC Team News, starting XI Prediction: go to this link
Kickoff: Thursday Nov 28, 350 pm, Astana Arena
TV: BT Sport2
Prediction: United 1, FC Astana 0
United have kept a clean sheet the entire time in this competition. Facing a much weaker side, don’t expect that to change.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, the author of “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry,” regularly appears on WGN CLTV and co-hosts the “Let’s Get Weird, Sports” podcast on SB Nation.
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