Thursday night sees Manchester United return to UEFA Europa League action, where they’ll play Sheriff Tiraspol, a team from the unrecognized breakaway state of Transnistria. Hopefully, they can face somebody from Disputed Zone, New Quagadougou and Unnamed Settlement at some point during this Europa League tournament as well. Yes, that’s obviously a Simpsons reference (see screenshot at the bottom of this post)
You guys obviously know Sherrif as the club that monumentally upset eventual champions Real Madrid in the group stages of the UEFA Champions League last season. Sherrif did not advance out of group however, sadly.
Manchester United at Sheriff Tiraspol FYIs
Kickoff: Thurs Sept 15, 545pm, Sheriff Stadium (also known as Glavnaya Arena of Complexul Sheriif)
Competition: UEFA Europa League Group Stages Group E Matchday 2 of 6
United Preview Material: Starting XI Prediction Team News
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After Extra Time Podcast: Spotify Apple
UEL Group Standing: United 3rd, 0 pts Sherrif Tiraspol 1st, 3pts
Man United Team News
Anthony Martial is still not training, due to an Achilles injury and there is no timetable for his return. The real news though, concerning the Frenchman, is his blatantly hitting out at former managers Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Read that at this link.
Elsewhere, long term injury absentees Brandon Williams and Facundo Pellistri also remain out while Luke Shaw is a doubt due to a football problem.
Marcus Rashford (precautionary withdraw) and Donny van de Beek (knock) should both be back in the mix here.
Paul M. Banks is the owner/manager of The Bank (TheSportsBank.Net) and author of “Transatlantic Passage: How the English Premier League Redefined Soccer in America,” as well as “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry.”
He has regularly appeared in WGN, Sports Illustrated and the Chicago Tribune, and he co-hosts the After Extra Time podcast, part of Edge of the Crowd Network. Follow him and the website on Twitter and Instagram.