PREVIEW: MANCHESTER UNITED V BAYERN MUNICH

Manchester United v Bayern Munich aggregate 1-2 Uefa Champions League quarter-final second leg.

Ground: Old Trafford Date: Wednesday, 7 April Kick-off: 19:45 BST

Manchester United host Bayern Munich at Old Trafford needing a win to take them through to the semi finals of the Champions League.

Following the first leg, when Franck Ribery and Ivica Olic overturned Wayne Rooney’s opener, Manchester United fell at the hands of Chelsea. With Chelsea top of the table and with just five games to play, the Champions League is a more likely viable option of success for The Red Devils.

Poised

United grabbed an important away goal in Germany, but let Bayern Munich back in and win the first tie 2-1.

Man Utd must win the game to progress. A 1-0 win would be enough thanks to their away goal, 2-1 would take the tie to extra time, any other win must be by more than a single goal. Tight.

United must also overcome a couple of ominous statistics: They have only once managed to win a tie after losing in the first leg, in the entire history of the UEFA Champions League.

They have never won a two legged tie in the Champions League against German opposition. Belief.

Team News

Manchester United: Sir Alex Ferguson has dropped hints about Wayne Rooney being in the squad, but that sounds like mind games.

Jonny Evans and John O’Shea are both rated as doubtful and Utd have the long term absentees missing including; Michael Owen, Anderson, Owen Hargreaves and Wes Brown.

Bayern Munich: Boosting the German’s hopes is the return of former Chelsea winger Arjen Robben. After missing the first leg through injury, the Dutchman will be in the squad for tonight.

Bastian Schweinsteiger also returns from suspension and Daniel van Buyten looks to have shaken off a knock from the weekend.

Match Winners

Manchester United: All eyes will be on Dimitar Berbatov in the absence of Wayne Rooney. Berbatov will be up against the physical van Buyten, but has the creative and technical ability to hurt Bayern Munich if he is on his game. Flair.

Bayern Munich: Bayern Munich will be looking to defend their lead and will be well organised. However, with the return of Robben on one flank and Ribery on the other, Bayern will look to hurt United on the break, with Ribery and Robben leading the charge. Speed.

Can Manchester United fly the flag for England and progress, or will Bayern’s well organised side hold out?

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