Champions League Preview: Manchester United v Valencia

Manchester United's Javier Hernadez scores a goal against Valencia's Javi Navarro (C) and Cesar Sanchez (R) during their Champions League Group C soccer match at Mestalla stadium in Valencia, September 29, 2010. REUTERS/Albert Gea (SPAIN - Tags: SPORT SOCCER)
Tuesday night both Manchester United and Valencia will battle it out for top spot in their final match of the Champions League group stage. All United need out of tomorrow’s game is a point. Barcelona and Real Madrid have already secured top spot in their respective groups, that’s exactly what United will be looking to do.

Man United beat Valencia 1-0 at the Estadi de Mestalla back in September after Javier Hernandez scored with five minutes remaining. United are yet to concede a goal in this years Champions League, scoring six in the process. Valencia have scored 14 goals, conceding just three.

The Man United players have had a rest after the Premier League game against Blackpool at the weekend was postponed due to severe snow. Valencia were in action over the weekend, they lost 2-0 to Real Madrid.

Michael Owen returned to training last week but Sir Alex Ferguson has confirmed that he will not be involved. Sir Alex will make many changes to the side who lost 4-0 to West Ham in the Carling Cup last week. Paul Scholes has been out with a groin strain, he may return along with Edwin Van Der Sar, Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic, Patrice Evra, Wayne Rooney and Dimitar Berbatov who were rested against the Hammers.

Referee tomorrow is financial advisor Pedro Proenca. The Portuguese was named Portuguese referee of the year in the 2006-2007 seasons. This will be the first Man United game that Proenca has refereed but he has officiated three other Champions League matches in this year’s competition.

In the other group game Rangers are away to Bursaspor. Rangers are already guaranteed third place, which will see them drop down into the Europa Cup, so there is nothing to play for in that game.

One Response so far.

  1. DavidTheAlien says:

    Nice read again, you just failed to point out that no team has gone through the group games of the champions league without conceding a goal so there is a bit of history to be made in this tie.

    I for one am not sure how i feel about this in terms of who to play, its really very iffy, do you play a strong team knowing that Arsenal and Chelsea game are right around the corner but do you maybe sacrifice a loss and finish 2nd place in group to rest the players a lil more or give them time to get back from niggling injuries. A really big decision if you ask me. I would try Vidic and Smalling at the back for this one. Evra and Rafael at full backs with fabio on bench to replace one of them in 2nd half depending on how game is going. I would go Nani (obertan replacing him in 2nd half) Carrick, Anderson and Giggs in midfield with Mr Whiner Berbatov and Rooney with either Macheda or Chicharito replacing one if not both in 2nd half.

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