Match Previews

Preview: United vs. Huddersfield Town

Photo: Getty Images

Following heavy midweek defeats in contrasting respects, wins are needed desperately for both José Mourinho and David Wagner as they set out to not drop dangerously lower in the table.

In addition, the Munich air disaster 60th anniversary commemorations will begin with the match.

With a shock result coming in earlier in the reverse fixture, could another upset be possible?


Kick-off: 15:00 (GMT)


Venue: Old Trafford


Referee: Stuart Attwell


The Terriers

Current run: WLLDL

Position: 17th

Top scorer: Laurent Depoitre [5]

Most assists: Collin Quaner [3]

One to watch: Thomas Ince

Injuries/suspensions (estimated return)

  • Jon Gorenc-Stanković; knee (3 weeks)
  • Elias Kachunga; knee (6 weeks)
  • Scott Malone; knock (unknown)
  • Sean Scannell; groin (1 month)
  • Daniel Williams; hip (day to day)

Team news

A similar lineup to their midweek match is expected.

However, new signing Terence Kongolo is available after training with the squad.

Also back in training is Michael Hefele but will not be available for the encounter.

Style of play

Despite not being as successful as last season with their tactics, the press from Wagner has had its positives although hasn’t don’t outweighed the negatives yet.

Switching to a 5-3-2 from a 4-2-3-1 in their last outing against Liverpool, the aim it to use the wing backs industriously and allow for play-makers such as Philip Billing & Aaron Mooy to create chances for the strikers like Depoitre & Steve Mounie to finish.

Embed from Getty Images

Their stopper Jonas Lössl has been relied upon heavily this season and pulled of some superb saves in the reverse fixture.

What the manager said:

“We are in the race to survive; this group is over achieving so far. We know we have to collect further points, we know we have to do better but there are other clubs that have a lot more pressure than us for sure. We will do our best to survive.”


United

Talking points

It’s time to bounce back immediately after arguably the team’s worst performance of the season so far.

Alexis Sánchez is set to make his home debut wearing the now almost infamous number 7 shirt.

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As the final deal of the transfer window, Matthew Willock has gone on loan to St. Johnstone until the end of the season.

Injuries/suspensions (estimated return)

  • Eric Bailly; ankle (3 weeks)
  • Daley Blind; ankle (day to day)
  • Marouane Fellaini; knee (unknown)
  • Zlatan Ibrahimović; knee (1 week)

Teams news

Luke Shaw may come in at left back in place of Ashley following Wednesday’s defeat.

After poor showings, Nemanja Matić could well be dropped in place of Ander Herrera.

Juan Mata is another possibility to counter the press with neat forward play.

What the manager said:

“We’re doing better than last season and it’s very important for us to do better than last season… We are trying to win something this season, and if not, we will try to be stronger for next season.”


Reverse fixture: 2-1


Match facts

  • The sides last meet at Old Trafford in March 1972 with George Best and Ian Storey-Moore scoring in the top flight
  • United haven’t lost twice to a newly promoted side since AFC Wimbledon in 1986/87
  • Huddersfield are winless in this fixture in their last 14 in all competitions
  • A reverse of the match could we played in the FA Cup in a fortnight’s time
  • Romelu Lukaku has netted 81 goals in 147 matches against non ‘big-six’ teams
  • Mourinho hasn’t lost a league match in February since 2002 with Porto against Beira Mar and has won 19 in 24 games since

Enjoy the match!



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