Alexis Sanchez is set to be the star attraction in his first Champions League game in Manchester United colours, against Sevilla, but both managers will have more than just one player on their mind for this round of 16 clash.
Who does Jose Mourinho pick in midfield? Can Vincenzo Montella end Sevilla’s dismal record in Champions League knockouts?
Here are some of the tactical talking points ahead of Wednesday’s game.
UNITED’S DEFENSIVE HEADACHE
It’s been a mixed debut season for Lindelof.
Phil Jones and Marcos Rojo are out injured, leaving United with just three fit central defenders – and one of them, Eric Bailly, has only just returned from injury, playing a handful of minutes on Saturday against Huddersfield.
That leaves Chris Smalling, who’s been inconsistent this season (that’s putting it mildly) and Victor Lindelof, who has had a difficult baptism in his debut season for United.
Lindelof has at least looked the part in Europe. The style of play is more akin to what he’s used to, although he’s still prone to lapses in judgment.
He looked assured on Saturday, as did Smalling. They’ll need to put in a similar performance on Wednesday.
SANCHEZ’S FIRST REAL TEST
This will be Alexis Sanchez’s biggest test as a United player so far.
United’s squad has a distinct lack of experience at this level.
Yes, many of these players featured in last year’s cup finals, including the Europa League triumph, but the fact remains that many of United’s players have never been in the Round of 16 of Europe’s premier competition.
Enter Alexis Sanchez. He has a score to settle in this competition, as well, having suffered as an Arsenal player when he never made it past the first knockout stage. Sanchez left Arsenal for opportunities like this. Now he has the opportunity to show it was worth it.
His leadership on the pitch, especially if Paul Pogba is missing, will be vital.
WHO DO UNITED PLAY IN MIDFIELD?
Is Scott McTominay ready to start a Champions League knockout game?
Speaking of Pogba, the Frenchman’s status is unclear, leaving United thin in midfield and giving Jose Mourinho the dilemma of picking someone to partner Nemanja Matic.
With Ander Herrera having missed the last few games to injury, Michael Carrick seems the obvious choice, but a Matic-Carrick midfield would mean United are short on pace and vulnerable to the Sevilla counter. That leaves Scott McTominay, who has filled in admirably in recent games.
Now’s the time to see how much Jose Mourinho truly trusts youth. It’s one thing to pick young players in attack, but does Mourinho trust McTominay in one of the most important positions on the pitch?
CAN SEVILLA GET OUT OF THEIR OWN WAY?
Sevilla’s can’t afford the lapses that caused their loss to Spartak Moscow.
Sevilla have never made it out of the Champions League Round of 16. Time after time, they get to this stage on the back of strong pedigree and then slip up.
Manager Vincenzo Montella has little experience of this stage. He lost 3-0 in the only Champions League game he’s managed. While United’s young squad might be fazed by the occasion, Sevilla have demons to overcome.
And then there’s their own defensive issues. Lapses in the group stages that saw them fall behind in two separate games against Liverpool before they produced stunning turnarounds, and lose 5-1 to Spartak Moscow. They’ll need to tighten up against United.
