Noah Rosenstein
Updated on: October 14, 2024 12:50 am GMT
Manchester United is set to face FC Twente on Wednesday in an eagerly awaited Europa League match. Coming off a frustrating 0-0 draw against Crystal Palace, United’s head coach Erik ten Hag has expressed the need for his forwards to show a sharper edge in front of goal. With a mixture of anticipation and concern, both fans and players are gearing up for what promises to be an exciting encounter at Old Trafford.
Tough Times for United’s Attackers
Despite dominating possession in their last match, Manchester United struggled to translate that control into goals. The team has scored only five times in their first six Premier League matches, leaving them with an underwhelming goal difference of zero. Their current goal-scoring challenges have led Ten Hag to call for more killer instinct from his forwards.
> “We create a lot of chances in the first games of the season,” Ten Hag said. “But it’s a part of the game we have to improve and kill in the box.”
The Dutch manager highlighted that while they have had many chances, the ability to finish remains an area for improvement. Notable forwards Joshua Zirkzee, Marcus Rashford, Amad Diallo, and Alejandro Garnacho have all found the net just once this season, which is a concerning statistic for a club of Manchester United’s stature.
Team News and Injury Updates
As the team prepares for the fixture against FC Twente, Ten Hag confirmed that the squad would remain unchanged from the game against Crystal Palace. Key players Victor Lindelof, Tyrell Malacia, Luke Shaw, and Leny Yoro will all miss this match due to injury:
- Victor Lindelof: Resumed training but not fit for this match.
- Tyrell Malacia: In recovery but not yet available.
- Luke Shaw: Out since mid-February with a calf injury; a hopeful return before the October international break.
- Leny Yoro: A longer-term concern.
While Shaw is making progress, Ten Hag indicated that a return before the upcoming international break is hopeful but not guaranteed.
FC Twente, on the other hand, will also be without a couple of key players. Michal Sadilek is continuing to recover from an injury sustained in an accident, while Younes Taha is sidelined with a broken leg.
What Lies Ahead for Both Teams
The match against FC Twente kicks off at 8 PM BST on September 25, 2024, at Old Trafford. This Europa League fixture marks the opening of the new expanded 32-team format, and it certainly carries additional significance, considering that the winners qualify for the Champions League.
Ten Hag is eager to take advantage of this opportunity, stating, “It’s an opportunity… there are more roads to achieve the targets you want.”
Following this match, the Reds will host Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League and then play FC Porto in another European clash.
Odds and Predictions
While FC Twente is perceived as the underdog in this matchup, Manchester United’s inconsistent form has sparked some debate regarding the expected outcome. Betfair currently lists:
- Manchester United to win: 2/9
- Draw: 7/2
- FC Twente to win: 8/1
Given these odds, many analysts are predicting a victory for Manchester United, with scores ranging from 3-1 to potentially higher.
The Road Ahead for Manchester United
As Manchester United pushes forward in both domestic and European competitions, the urgency to improve their attacking play becomes ever more crucial. With a busy schedule ahead, each match provides an opportunity for redemption and growth.
Fans will be watching closely to see which players step up to improve the team’s goal-scoring capabilities and how Ten Hag’s strategies unfold on the pitch.
Whether Manchester United can find their finishing touch against FC Twente remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the squad and supporters alike are hungry for victories.
Ten Hag said it well: “We want to win everything, and this is one of those games.” The search for goals and victory starts on Wednesday night!
