Man United v RB Leipzig – Match Preview

The Football Faithful

·26 October 2020

Man United v RB Leipzig – Match Preview

Manchester United host last season’s semi-finalists RB Leipzig in the Champions League on Wednesday night, with both sides seeking to take control of the group after making winning starts to their respective campaigns.

Here is all you need to know about the Group H clash at Old Trafford:

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Manchester United: WLWWD

Manchester United have bounced back from a difficult start to the season with an impressive three-game unbeaten run in all competitions, winning back-to-back fixtures at Newcastle and Paris Saint-Germain before a goalless draw with Chelsea last weekend.

The club’s victory in Paris in their group stage opener was a huge confidence boost to a side which has suffered some humbling results in the opening weeks of the campaign, a reminder that the Red Devils have players to compete with Europe’s elite when at their very best.

Securing three points at last season’s runners-up has put Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side in a strong position to take control of the group, though they face a tough challenge against a Leipzig side who reached the last four of this competition last year.

Edinson Cavani made his first appearance for the club during the draw with Chelsea and it remains to be seen whether the summer signing is given the nod here, with Anthony Martial available after missing the past two Premier League fixtures through suspension.

Mason Greenwood will also hope for inclusion after coming off the bench against Chelsea following a two-game absence, whilst Alex Telles and Axel Tuanzebe will also hope to return, the duo impressing against PSG before being left out at the weekend.

RB Leipzig: WWWWD

It’s been a hugely encouraging start to the season for RB Leipzig who have taken an early lead at the top of the Bundesliga, winning four and drawing once in their opening five league fixtures.

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Julian Nagelsmann’s side also began their Champions League campaign with a comfortable 2-0 win over group stage debutants Istanbul Basaksehir and a trip to Old Trafford will hold no fear for a side brimming with youth and potential.

Leipzig have coped well with the departure of star striker Timo Werner to Chelsea with Yussuf Poulsen having scored three goals in six appearances so far, whilst the club possesses a number of intriguing attacking options following the summer signings of Hwang Hee-Chan, Alexander Sorloth and Justin Kluivert.

Manchester City loanee Angelino has also excelled in a left wing-back role, the Spaniard having scored four times in his past four appearances, including a brilliant brace in the club’s group stage opener.

Premier League fans will also be keen to take a closer look at centre-back Dayot Upamecano, the newly-capped France international having been linked with a host of England’s leading sides in recent months, including this week’s Champions League opponents.

Last meeting

Leipzig’s formation in 2009 means that this will be the first fixture ever played between the two sides.

United, historically, have a solid record against German opposition and have won 15 of their 31 fixtures against Bundesliga sides in Europe, drawing eight times and losing on a further eight occasions.

Leipzig have faced Premier League opposition on just once occasion previously, comfortably defeating Tottenham 4-0 on aggregate in last season’s last-16.