Mission to Achieve Early Win in Europa League

Jakarta, Todaysgist.com – Manchester United will begin their 2024/2025 UEFA Europa League campaign by hosting FC Twente at Old Trafford on Wednesday (25/9/2024) or Thursday (26/9/2024) early morning WIB. Manchester United hope to start the campaign positively when facing opponents from the Netherlands.

Manchester United qualified for the Europa League after winning the FA Cup last season. However, Erik ten Hag’s team’s performance at the start of the 2024/2025 season has been inconsistent, with a balanced record of wins and losses. Despite showing promising performance against Crystal Palace last weekend, the match ended in a goalless draw.

On the other hand, FC Twente managed to secure a Europa League ticket after finishing third in the Eredivisie last season. Joseph Oosting’s team actually had the chance to appear in the Champions League, but they had to be eliminated in the third qualifying round against Red Bull Salzburg with an aggregate of 5-4. This season, FC Twente has also been inconsistent in the league, recording three wins from six matches and sitting in fourth place.

Erik ten Hag has no fresh injury concerns ahead of the opening Europa League game of the season. However, Manchester United are still missing several key players. Tyrell Malacia has returned to training after a long-term injury but the Dutch defender is not yet ready to feature. Luke Shaw (calf), Leny Yoro (foot) and Victor Lindelof (toe) are also still out.

Under the crossbar, Andre Onana will remain the main choice. Manchester United are likely to use a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Diogo Dalot, Noussair Mazraoui, Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martinez at the back. In midfield, Manuel Ugarte is expected to partner Casemiro as a holding midfielder, while Bruno Fernandes will play as playmaker. Antony and Marcus Rashford will fill the wide attacking positions, while Joshua Zirkzee will lead the line, with Rasmus Hojlund an option from the bench.

On the opposing side, Joseph Oosting also does not face many injury problems. FC Twente will be without Younes Taha who has a broken leg, and Michal Sadílek who is still recovering from a foot injury. FC Twente will also likely use a 4-2-3-1 formation with Lars Unnerstall as the goalkeeper. Bart van Rooij, Mees Hilgers, Max Bruns, and Anass Salah-Eddine will guard the defense. In midfield, Carel Eiting and Youri Reger will partner as the defensive midfielders, while Sem Steijn will play as the attacking midfielder. Daan Rots and Mitchell van Bergen will fill the wings, with Sam Lammers as the lone striker.

This match marks the first meeting between Manchester United and FC Twente. The Red Devils have a good record against the Dutch side at Old Trafford, losing just once in nine meetings (W7 D1). Their last defeat came against Ajax in the 2011/12 Europa League round of 16.

On the other hand, FC Twente have a poor record against English teams, winning just one of their 13 meetings (D5 L7). However, that victory came in their last match against Fulham in December 2011.

Manchester United cannot afford to underestimate FC Twente, especially as the visitors are known to be prolific scorers. Joseph Oosting has assembled an aggressive team that is always looking for opportunities to attack. However, Manchester United are expected to have enough quality to overcome this challenge and start their Europa League campaign with a win.

Predicted line-ups:
Manchester United (4-2-3-1): Onana; Mazraoui, Maguire, Martinez, Dalot; Ugarte, Casemiro; Antony, Bruno Fernandes, Rashford; Zirkzee

FC Twente (4-2-3-1): Unnerstall; van Rooij, Hilgers, Bruns, Salah-Eddine; Eiting, Regger; Rots, Steijn, van Bergen; Lammers