Extra preparation to serve Man U well in Moldova
Manchester United travel to Moldova in matchday two in the Europa League, in aiming to recover from their 1-0 loss to Real Sociedad last time out.
The Red Devils can play a full strength team at Sheriff Tiraspol, without a match until early October following this fixture.
The Yellow-Blacks top the group after one match after an impressive 3-0 win at Cypriot team Omonia, and they will take confidence from their standout displays in upsetting the odds to compete in the Champions League group stage last term.
United should be fresh and they have much more quality in attacking areas, Erik ten Hag is slowly endearing himself to the Manchester United supporter base, and a deep run in European competition, albeit the Europa League, will take him further to winning them over.
Background
Anthony Martial and Brandon Williams are ruled out for this one, while Luke Shaw and Donny van de Beek are doubtful.
Cristiano Ronaldo could be utilised mainly for the Europa League this season, with more mobile players being preferred in the Premier League in the final third, the Portuguese has his limitations at this stage of his career, but his goalscoring nous and experience cannot be underestimated.
There is an abundance of competition for places at Old Trafford at the moment and that elevate the performance level of the second string in cup competitions.
Looking at the price, United are very short, but with more time to prepare for this fixture and recover from matchday one, they should be in a good place to take the three points back to England.
Sheriff have won the Moldovan top-flight seven seasons in a row, and therefore they can prioritise the European competition as well, with a good chance that they end up in the Europa Conference League with a third placed finish in Group E, but United should back themselves to assert the quality gap.
Goals?
We need a greater sample size to judge Sheriff’s resistance and for that reason I will be steering clear of a goals angle in this match.
Sheriff have scored in eight of ten.
Sheriff have conceded in three of ten.
Sheriff have seen both teams score in three of ten.
Sheriff have seen over 2.5 goals in four of ten.
Man U have scored in five of seven.
Man U have conceded in five of seven.
Man U have seen both teams score in three of seven.
Man U have seen over 2.5 goals in four of seven.
Post bet chat Marcus's Tips:
2-0 United, it could and probably should have been more.