Man Utd Match Centre

Zorya vs Man Utd Preview, Team News, Line-Up, Betting Tips & Predicted Score

Man Utd take on Zorya Luhansk in the Europa League this evening. Here is a preview with team news, line-up, betting tips and predicted score.

by
Fraser Crawford
December 8, 2016

Manchester United will be looking to book their place in the knockout stages of the Europa League when they take on Zorya Luhansk at the Chornomorets Stadium this evening [kick off 6pm GMT].

The game looks set to go ahead tonight following an early morning pitch inspection with the freezing temperatures in Ukraine leading to concerns over the state of the pitch.

The Red Devils currently sit second in Group A with an impressive 4-0 win over Feyenoord at Old Trafford two weeks ago moving them on to 9 points from their five games so far.

Leaders Fenerbache are just one point ahead and face a tricky trip to Holland to face Feyenoord tonight so Jose Mourinho knows a win in Odessa could see United snatch top spot.

However, the Portuguese coaches priority will be to avoid defeat at Zorya as that would be enough to secure qualification to the knockout stages and anything else will be considered a bonus.

United warmed up for the game with a frustrating 1-1 draw at Everton last weekend with Marouane Fellaini giving away a late penalty so Mourinho will be demanding more from his players tonight.

Team news

United have given Michael Carrick and Antonio Valencia a breather with the duo left back in Manchester along with Matteo Darmian, Memphis Depay and Morgan Schneiderlin.

Youngster Timothy Fosu-Mensah could start at right-back while Daley Blind will be looking for a recall at left-back with Luke Shaw unavailable due to injury.

Wayne Rooney returns to the squad after missing the Everton game through suspension but Chris Smalling remains unavailable with a broken toe and Bastian Schweinsteiger isn’t eligible after being left out of United’s Europa League squad.

Eric Bailly was back on the bench at the weekend after recovering from a knee injury but Mourinho is unlikely to risk the centre-back on the rock hard Zorya pitch this evening.

The United boss could make some changes with Sunday’s crunch game against Tottenham in mind with Sergio Romero and Marcus Rashford among those pushing for game-time.

Likely Line-Up

Predicted Score

Zorya 0-1 Man Utd: United edged the reverse fixture 1-0 at Old Trafford earlier in the season and I’m expecting another tight game tonight as it’s never easy playing on frozen pitches in places like Ukraine. The Red Devils have also lost their last five successive European away games so I’m not expecting an easy night. However, Zorya have just 2 points in Group A and have little left to play for so I’m backing United to edge this one.

Betting Tips

United are the 4/11 favourites to win the game but we can get you enhanced odds of 4/1 on the Reds winning – just click here or below to take advantage of these crazy odds. Here are some other bets I like the look of: