Manchester United will try to recover from their Manchester derby defeat when they return to Europa League action against Omonia in Group E on Thursday night.
The Red Devils have three points from their first two games to sit second in the rankings, while their Cypriot hosts are at the bottom with no points. Competing in Group E with the likes of Real Sociedad and Manchester United was always going to be difficult for Omonia, whose continental journey is on the verge of being cut short after defeats to Sheriff Tiraspol and Sociedad.
Omonia are following the script and occupy fourth place in the section after two matches, with only one goal scored and five conceded in continental action so far, but they have at least managed to claim back-to-back domestic wins over Enosis and Doxa in recent weeks. Lennon’s men have scored six goals and conceded none in those two Cypriot First Division clashes, but they have won just one of their last 26 European matches excluding qualifiers, and their visitors simply need to lay down a marker after an Etihad humiliation.
Man United have now lost two of their last three games in all competitions under the ex-Ajax coach, with the outlier being that 2-0 win over Sheriff Tiraspol in the Europa League, and the Red Devils currently sit three points behind group leaders Real Sociedad.
Man United and Omonia have never met competitively before, but the Cypriot side has lost all four of their previous games against English opposition, but watching the Red Devils’ lacklustre defensive efforts at the weekend gives the hosts cautious optimism. For Manchester United, Raphael Varane was forced off with an ankle injury after 40 minutes at the Etihad, and while the issue is not thought to be too serious, he is expected to miss out here.
Harry Maguire will also take a little longer to recover from a hamstring strain, while Martin Dubravka and Donny van de Beek are both doubts, though the latter is rumoured to be surplus to requirements anyway.
According to Ten Hag, Cristiano Ronaldo was left on the bench at the Etihad Stadium out of “respect,” and he may prefer Martial to lead the line over the five-time Ballon d’Or winner after his late brace as a substitute.
Match Prediction
Omonia’s recent domestic revival may serve them well ahead of the visit of a Man United side that has suffered yet another blow to morale, but the hosts should not spring any surprises here. Ten Hag’s erratic squad will see Thursday’s game as a golden opportunity to get back on track, and we have faith in the Red Devils to get the job done quickly.
