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United look to stay perfect in Champions League against RB Leipzig

Reds play Leipzig for the first time

Table of Contents

Manchester United look to keep their unbeaten run alive Wednesday as they host RB Leipzig from Old Trafford.

The Reds haven’t lost in their last three games, including a 2-1 win over PSG and a 4-1 victory over Newcastle.

Lineup News

 United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will have more players available to choose from than he’s had in a while.

Anthony Martial is still serving a red card suspension but that doesn’t apply in the Champions League meaning he’s available.

Eric Bailly, Jesse Lingard are injured.

Phil Jones, Sergio Romero, and Marcus Rojo are all omissions so they cannot play on Wednesday.

Mason Greenwood, Alex Telles, and Edinson Cavani all saw action over the weekend and will be ready to go.

Solskjaer spoke about the squad he expects to see tomorrow.

“There are a couple of doubts, as you normally have after a weekend game, a tight game as we had against Chelsea, “he says.

“I think we’ve more or less the same squad.”

For Leipzig manager, Julian Nagelsmann’s team has been hit hard by the injury bug.

Midfielder Tyler Adams, defender Marcel Halstenberg, right-back Lukas Klostermann, Austrian Konrad Laimer, and young striker Fabrice Hartmann will all be missing.

Defender Nordi Mukiele is a question mark.

Struggles at Home

 Old Trafford has not been a kind place for United lately in terms of results.

They’ve got one point from three league matches on their famous ground this season.

Their luck at home in Europe hasn’t been any better.

United has lost four of its last six home games in the Champions League.

On the other hand, Leipzig has impressed away from home in Europe.

Since losing their first two matches on the road in the Champions League they’ve not lost in their last five road contests in Europe.

Notable stats

 Man United have just one win in their last four encounters with German opponents in European competition.

The Reds have had success against German teams at Old Trafford.

They’re unbeaten in their last 10 games against German sides in Europe.

Leipzig has never lost to English opponents in Europe and have not conceded against them either.

Their lone match against a Premier League team was last season ousting Tottenham in the Round of 16 on a 4-0 aggregate score.

If United can win Wednesday it’ll be the first time since the 2017/18 season they’ve won their first two Champions League fixtures.

Defending

 The defense is a major issue for Manchester United, conceding 12 times in five EPL matches.

Despite some major injuries at the back Leipzig has shown they have the depth and know-how to defend.

In the Bundesliga, they’ve only conceded three times in five matches.

Dayot Upamecano at 22 is wise beyond his years, has strong physical attributes, and seems to always be in the right position.

Former City defender Angelino has flourished in Germany for Leipzig and can join the attack as well with two goals so far this season.

Balance

 One thing that stands out in an impressive Leipzig team is how well balanced they are at every position.

Three players (Angelino, Emil Forsberg, and Yussuf Poulsen) have at least two goals this season.

Five more have their names on the scoresheet in the domestic season.

They can attack, they can defend, they can hold the ball in midfield and play possession.

They can also hit teams on the counter.

Losing a striker with the caliber of Timo Werner may have crippled most teams but not Leipzig.

If anything, his loss has shown how much depth this team has.

Match Info

United and Leipzig are tied for first in their group having both won on matchday 1.

 Kickoff tomorrow will be at 8 pm from Old Trafford. (JSL)

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