Ahead of tonight's UEFA Champions League quarter-final between Manchester United and Bayern Munich, Sport360°'s Hugo Mirabel Hardy provides an in-depth preview complete with team news, key battles and prediction for the Old Trafford clash.
Manchester United will go into tonight’s encounter with major defensive concerns – not a position they want to be in against a fearsome Bayern side.
Centre-backs Rio Ferdinand, Johnny Evans and Chris Smalling have only just recovered from their respective injuries, while Patrice Evra is suspended and replacement Alex Buttner is a doubt with a hamstring injury.
At the other end of the pitch, United also have problems. Club record signing Juan Mata is cup-tied and striker Robin Van Persie is injured.
Despite a depleted squad and United's well-publicised woes this season, manager David Moyes insists his team has what it takes to topple the record-breaking Bundesliga champions.
He said: "The players are incredibly focused and I am really looking forward to the game,” while veteran midfielder Ryan Giggs, who was part of the 1999 team that defeated Bayern to clinch the Champions league title, added: "As players we don't see ourselves as underdogs."
Defending champions Bayern head into the tie as heavy favourites having recently wrapped up the Bundesliga title with seven games remaining. Pep Guardiola's side remain unbeaten this domestic season; winning 25 of their 28 games.
Despite Bayern's remarkable run of form, Guardiola has urged his players to remain focused on the challenges ahead.
“As a coach it is important to keep going, to maintain what we did last season and try to achieve that again," the Spaniard said. "To do it against a team like Manchester United is an honour, a real honour.
"Coaches around the world don't like being called favourites before the game, but I can't argue. I have to accept it because last season Bayern won everything and this season we have won the title with seven games to spare.”
TEAM NEWS
Manchester United
Right-back Rafael missed training on Monday with a hamstring injury and is rated 50-50 to start. Smalling, Ferdinand, Buttner, Antonio Valencia and Evans have returned from their respective injuries and are available for the clash.
Tom Cleverly was also absent from training on the eve of the match. Mata is cup-tied, Evra is suspended and Van Persie remains sidelined with a knee injury.
Bayern Munich
Midfield anchor Javi Martinez has been called on to play at centre-back tonight as first choice Dante will miss the game through suspension. Midfielder Thiago Alcantara will miss the first leg with a knee injury sustained in the game against Hoffenheim on Saturday. Defender Holger Badstuber is a long-term absentee.
LIKELY LINE-UPS
Manchester United (4-2-3-1)
De Gea; Rafael, Jones, Vidic, Buttner; Carrick, Fellaini; Young, Kagawa, Welbeck; RooneyRooney, Welbeck, Kagawa, Young, Carrick, Fellaini, Buttner, Vidic, Jones, Rafael, De Gea
Bayern Munich (4-3-3)
Neuer; Rafinha, Boateng, Martinez, Alaba; Kroos, Lahm, Schweinsteiger; Ribery, Mandzukic, Robben
KEY BATTLES
Alex Buttner vs. Arjen Robben
Buttner is set to make his ninth appearance of the season and the Dutch full-back is tasked with nullifying one of the most dangerous wingers in world football. Despite limited game time this year, Buttner feels he will be able to keep Robben from terrorising the Man United defence later, stating: "I know what Arjen Robben can do and I am ready for him."
Buttner's confidence is admirable but there is no denying he is in for a tough evening. Robben has been instrumental to Bayern's recent success; scoring 10 goals and creating five assists in the Bundesliga this season. His lightning pace, trickery and goal-scoring ability (not to mention his skill of going down rather softly) could prove a difficult combination for Buttner to handle.
Rooney vs. Boateng
Rooney has been one of the bright lights in a rather grim season for United. His brace against Aston Villa on Saturday dug his team out of a potentially disastrous result and United will be relying on the England forward to again inspire them to victory.
In his way will be former Manchester City defender Jerome Boateng, who has become a regular at the heart of the Bayern defence. The Germany international will need to be at his sharp best to stop an in-form Rooney, although much will depend on the service United's midfield provide to their talisman.
Nemanja Vidic vs. Mario Mandzukic
Despite the imminent arrival of Robert Lewandowski, Mandzukic continues to score with regularity – 17 domestic strikes so far this season – and prove Bayern will not be short of options up-front next year.
Aiming to stop the Croatian forward will be United's captain Vidic, who will be looking to recapture the form that once made him Europe's finest defender. While no longer the force he used to be, Vidic's big-game experience and cool-head could prove vital to United's hopes.
FORM GUIDE
Man United’s last five home results – W L W L D
Bayern’s last five away results – W W W W W
Last 5 games
Man United 4-1 Aston Villa (H)
Man United 0-3 Man City (H)
Man United 2-0 West Ham (A)
Man United 3-0 Olympiakos (H)
Man United 0-3 Liverpool (H)
Bayern Munich 3-3 Hoffenheim (H)
Bayern Munich 3-1 Hertha Berlin (A)
Bayern Munich 2-0 Mainz (A)
Bayern Munich 2-1 B Leverkusen (H)
Bayern Munich 1-1 Arsenal (H)
SPORT360 PREDICTION
United insist they are confident heading into tonight's match, but their continued struggles against the top sides at Old Trafford this season does not bode well. Bayern simply have too much fire-power and class for their beleaguered hosts. Man United 0-4 Bayern Munich
