Here’s a match that could mark the end of Mourinho era at Manchester United. After a disastrous run in September, the Special One seems only a step away from getting sacked and that step can be made this Tuesday evening if his team fails to beat Valencia at the Old Trafford.
The Spanish team is without points in the Champions League, so they’re gonna be extra motivated to avoid losing in England. Otherwise, their dreams of getting a spot in the knockouts could come to an end too soon.
All of these things promise a very exciting duel and if you wanna spice it up a little bit by placing some bets, make sure to read this Manchester United vs Valencia match preview first!
Manchester United
There’s a beef going on between Manchester United’s manager Jose Mourinho and one of his team’s best players, Paul Pogba. The two just don’t seem to get well together, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg of Man Utd’s problems. The players simply don’t like their manager and the same goes vice versa, as Mourinho believes his players aren’t good enough to compete for titles.
And judging by their previous couple of performances, he might be right. Manchester United defense seems terrible. The back line would have problems playing even in the Championship, nevertheless Premier League. And if it weren’t’ for their goalie, De Gea, the Red Devils would be probably allowing even more goals.
McTominay, Smalling, Young, and Shaw were the four guys who finished the match with West Ham as Man United’s back four. They simply don’t seem good enough to keep their net safe. But, everything would probably be alright if Man United’s midfield did a fine job, keeping the ball in their possession and preventing counter-attacks.
But, all of their midfielders seem too sluggish. Matic, Fellaini, Fred, and even Pogba and big and tough players, who aren’t very fast and agile. Mourinho will have to change something in that department, if he wants to prevent Valencia’s pacey forwards to make his goalie work hard.
Valencia
Luckily for Manchester United, their next opponent is pretty much out of form. Valencia have only eight points after seven rounds of La Liga and it’s needless to say that they’re very low on the table. They’ve also started their Champions League campaign poorly, losing to Juventus 2:0 at home.
Their biggest problem in the last couple of months is that their attackers seem to have forgotten how to score. Valencia have scored only two goals in total in the last five rounds. And an even more worrying fact is that they’ve scored more than two goals per game only on one occasion this season.
But, I think that’s bound to change pretty soon. The reason? Valencia have some really fantastic attackers in the team – Gameiro, Rodrigo, and Batshuayi. Although it surely won’t be easy to score at the Old Trafford, I wouldn’t be too surprised if they did.
Team News
Manchester United absentees
- Marcos Rojo (injury)
Valencia absentees
- Santi Mina (doubtful)
- Cristiano Piccini (doubtful)
- Jose Gaya (doubtful)
Possible Lineups
Manchester United
De Gea – Baily, Smalling, Valencia, Shaw – Herrera, Matic, Pogba – Sanchez, Rashford, Lukaku
Valencia
Neto – Diakhaby, Gabriel, Vezo, Latorre – Kondogbia, Parejo, Soler, Cheryshev – Gameiro, Batshuayi
Manchester United vs Valencia Match Prediction
Manchester United finished their last season’s Champions League campaign when they lost to Sevilla at the Old Trafford. There might be something about teams from the south of Spain that Mourinho’s boys can’t handle? Valencia fans are surely hoping it’s true. And I think Valencia will try to hit Man United while they’re down. Whether they’ll make their plan come true, I’m not so sure. Nevertheless, we’re probably gonna see goals on both ends.
Manchester United vs Valencia Betting Tips
- BTS @1.80 (bet365)