Europa League: Possible Manchester United XI vs Omonia Nicosia and key stats
In United’s last Europa League outing, they beat FC Sheriff 2-0 with goals from Jadon Sancho and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Manchester United travel to Cyprus to take on Omonia Nicosia in the Europa League on Thursday. After being humiliated by neighbours Manchester City on Sunday, United will be hoping to bounce back in Europe.
The 6-3 defeat in the Manchester derby came after four straight wins in the Premier League. In United’s last Europa League outing, they beat FC Sheriff 2-0 with goals from Jadon Sancho and Cristiano Ronaldo. On matchday 1, the Premier League side suffered a 1-0 defeat at home to Imanol Alguacil’s Real Sociedad.
After two games in Group E, United are level on three points with Sheriff. Omonia Nicosia have yet to pick up any points in the group and Erik ten Hag’s side are favourites to seal another win tonight.
Ten Hag has selected 22 players to travel to Cyprus. Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford and goalkeeper Martin Dubravka have all been added to the squad that travelled to Moldova last month.
Manchester United squad
Goalkeepers: De Gea, Heaton, Dubravka.
Defenders: Lindelof, Martinez, Malacia, Dalot, Shaw.
Midfielders: Fernandes, Eriksen, Fred, Casemiro, McTominay, Iqbal.
Forwards: Ronaldo, Martial, Rashford, Antony, Sancho, Pellistri, Elanga, Garnacho.
Players out
Harry Maguire, Raphael Varane, Donny van de Beek and Aaron Wan-Bissaka will all miss the match against Neil Lennon’s side.
Ronaldo expected to feature
Ronaldo is expected to see some game time on Thursday. So far in 2022-23, he has played 378 minutes, featuring in eight games and scoring one goal.
Casemiro could also start in his preferred holding role. The former Real Madrid player has yet to start a Premier League game for United this season but will likely get the nod from Ten Hag in Cyprus. He could play alongside compatriot Fred in the engine room.
Possible Manchester United XI vs Omonia
De Gea; Dalot, Lindelof, Martínez, Malacia; Casemiro, Fred; Sancho, Fernandes, Garnacho, Ronaldo.
Key stats
- United will be the third English Premier League side to face Omonia Nicosia in major Uefa competition, after Arsenal in the 1994-95 Cup Winners’ Cup and Manchester City in the 2008-09 Uefa Cup.
- Omonia have won just one of their last 26 matches in major European competition (D6 L19), recording a 2-1 home win over PAOK Salonika in the 2020-21 Europa League.
- United have won five of their last six away games in the Uefa Europa League.
- Omonia have lost their first two group games. The Cypriot side were beaten 3-0 at home to FC Sheriff before losing 2-1 away to Basque side Real Sociedad.
- United bounced back from their opening day defeat to Real Sociedad with a 2-0 victory over FC Sheriff.
What time does Omonia Nicosia vs Manchester United get underway?
The UEFA Europa League Group E clash between Omonia Nicosia and Manchester United gets underway at 12.45pm ET. That’s 9.45am PT.