When the Champions of Europe come to Old Trafford, who will rise up to the occasion? David Moyes, the man who took on the impossible job of replacing Sir Alex Ferguson has had a nightmarish start to his career at Old Trafford. The same team which won the Premier League the last season is now languish at 7th. More than anything, this only emphasizes the genius of Sir Alex as with the exception of Juan Mata and Marouane Fellaini, he won the Premier League last year with the same squad that Moyes has at hand

While their Premier League form has been a cause of much ridicule, their run in the Champions League has been the cause of nothing but amazement. It takes a lot of character for a team to overturn a 2-goal deficit and roar into Europe’s top-8. But they now face their biggest test of the season, their fiercest opponent yet, the European and German Champions, Bayern Munich. Interestingly, this is the same team against whom Manchester United pulled off one of the most magical nights in Europe, winning the famous treble in 1999. But this time it will be different. It will be like David going against Goliath. Bayern’s depth and strength is an indicator that this is one of the great Champions League sides of all time. There is nothing much to discuss about Bayern’s squad and how they will play, but it will be interesting to see how The Red Devils will line up.

The Champions League is the only major trophy Manchester United can possibly win this season. Irrespective of the realistic chances, Manchester United should go out all guns blazing. Give the fans something to cheer about. Give the Champions a run for their money. Let us get one thing straight. Manchester United cannot be even remotely compared to Bayern in terms of their possession-play. While the Bavarians combined possession with double-layered wing play to despatch the very best in Europe last year, Pep Guardiola has only reinforced that and added his own flavour of a high defensive line and aggressive off-the-ball pressing. They enjoy keeping the ball in the middle, running circles around you and when you are all tangled up in your own laces, take you down. What is more intimidating is that they can change their style anytime they wish. They can play change from playing like Barcelona to Arsenal to Real Madrid. Simply put, they play like Bayern Munich and that is scary. The only option for Manchester United is to throw the kitchen sink at Bayern and hope for them to make a mistake.

United’s midfield master Ryan Giggs is expected to start this game after making a huge impact against Olympiakos. Yes, Bayern will kill United with posession. But if United can hold on without conceding, United’s 40-year old youngster can spread the ball and put it in places which even Bayern cannot predict. He has been doing it for 2-decades and he can do it even now. You can be sure on Wayne Rooney to give some trouble to the Bayern defense as both Dante and Jerome Boateng were unsettled in the return leg against Arsenal in Munich. It will be important for United to keep putting balls into good areas and trust their strikers to do the job.

Chicharito will be a good choice over Danny Welbeck as the Bavarian side’s central defensive pairing is susceptible to direct running and pace. Even with very little game-time, he has managed to be at the right place at the right time and that is exactly what United want.

Another vital player will be Shinji Kagawa. Everything said and done, the Japanese ace is a class act. He has come up against Bayern before during his time with Borussia Dortmund and he will be more comfortable in this game than he has been in the Premier League. He has been forced to play out wide in the League owing to Juan Mata’s preferred No.10 position. But here he will be given license to patrol the midfield and play those one-two’s with Rooney to unlock a resolute Bayern defence. Kagawa is likely to lock horns with Rafinha who like Phillip Lahm does not like it when players run directly at them. With Toni Kross orchestrating from midfield at Old Trafford due to Thiago’s injury, it will be difficult for United to get the ball easily and for this they have to be aggressive and show that hunger for the ball, something which has been lacking most of the season. Michael Carrick will have to be on the top of his game, supporting Giggs and keep the midfield tight against a midfield that is easily one of the very best in Europe.

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United’s defence is a cause for concern. They are likely to come up against an attacking masterclass in the form of Franck Ribery, Mario Mandzukic, Arjen Robben and Mario Gotze or Thomas Muller depending on which of the duo would start the game. Rafael will have his hands full as his flank will be under severe bombardment due to the presence of Ribery and David Alaba who complement each other very well. Phil Jones and Nemanja Vidic will have a tough job too, but nothing compared to that of Alexander Buttner and Rafael for they will be up against two of the best wingers in the world! To add salt to the wound, right back Rafael is doubtful for the match.

The only thing that can work against Bayern will be complacence. No team has retained the UEFA Champions League. Bayern also dropped points  in a long time, the 3-3 draw in their previous match against Hoffenheim. All in all, it should be a good match and it is an opportunity for The Red Devils to show the spirit they are so famous for.

This is the predicted lineup for Bayern.

gmfor1

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