Manchester United are definitely performing a lot better in Europe this season than they are domestically. Ahead of Thursday’s UEFA Europa League group stage clash at home against Partizan Belgrade, the Red Devils currently sit atop Group L with 7 points.
In England, things are not going as well as they are in the UEL. United currently sit 10th in the Premier League table, looking every bit the mid table side that the standings show. With that in mind, let’s turn to the team news for this one, starting with Paul Pogba, who is out until pretty much December.
The Frenchman gave an update on his rehabilitative process, and the timeline more or less matches what manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer had said initially.
United have a host of additional absentees, so get ready for the following very long list of players who have not been named to a team in awhile.
First choice left back Luke Shaw has not been seen since before the first international break while midfielder Nemanja Matic may not be ready in time. United will also be without the services of defenders Diogo Dalot, Timothy Fosu-Mensah, Eric Bailly and also Axel Tuanzebe in the Thursday night clash.
Expect plenty of squad rotation in this one, and a lot of younger kids to feature.
Manchester United at Partizan Belgrade (UEFA Europa League Group stage) FYIs
United starting XI prediction: go to this link
Kickoff: 8 BST, Nov 7, Old Trafford
TV: fuboTV (US)
Form Guide: Partizan Belgrade- LWD United- WDW
Odds via Betway: United win 1.37 Draw 4.5 Partizan Belgrade 9
Prediction: United 2, Partizan Belgrade 1
With United facing a much smaller club, at home, you have to pick them to win here, and with it they will pretty much wrap up passage to the knockout round.
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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