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Manchester United, Paris Saint-Germain and RB Leipzig enter the final round of the UEFA Champions League group stage tied on 9 points. As the Red Devils travel to take on RB Leipzig, a draw will do the trick for them. But RB Leipzig will be looking to exact revenge for the 5-0 humbling in the reverse fixture.
A 2-1 defeat away to Istanbul Basaksehir was the glitch in their group stage that Manchester United could have avoided. But they can still ensure that they're not in a place to rue that missed opportunity if they can get a positive result against Julian Nagelsmann's side tonight.
Both Manchester United and RB Leipzig enjoyed encouraging results this past weekend. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will know that his team that is perpetually under the scanner can come in for an incredible amount of stick should they fail tonight.
But as things stand, Manchester United look favourites to go through to the Round of 16. Without further ado, let's take a look at five reasons why Manchester United will thrive against RB Leipzig.
#5 Manchester United will feel confident after that 5-0 win
Manchester United beat, nay, thrashed RB Leipzig 5-0 in the reverse fixture at Old Trafford. Mason Greenwood put Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's men ahead in the 21st minute. The game then looked evenly poised until Marcus Rashford's introduction in the second half.
Rashford took on the tired RB Leipzig defenders and scored an exceptional hattrick off the bench. Anthony Martial also got on the scoresheet for them. It was a game where Manchester United asserted their dominance in the business end of the game and they could have had even more goals.
Solskjaer wouldn't want his players to be complacent and instead draw confidence from having already bested their Tuesday night opponents just a month and a half back.
#4 RB Leipzig might find Manchester United's intensity in the second half hard to deal with
RB Leipzig's relative success has a lot to do with the man at the helm, Julian Nagelsmann. And for the greater part of that 5-0 humbling they received at Old Trafford, it would be fair to say that RB Leipzig were able to keep Manchester United in check.
Their high-press often caused Manchester United to backtrack or make a few mistakes. But the problem with the high-press is that you can't keep it up for the entirety of the 90.
Manchester United have time and again proved that they are excellent in the second half. Their comeback wins in the Premier League speak volumes of this ability of theirs.
They have a lot of quality on the bench and though Edinson Cavani and Anthony Martial have been ruled out, given the depth they have in midfield, Ole could always switch things up for maximum impact in the final quarter of the game against some tired RB Leipzig legs.
#3 RB Leipzig are without Dayot Upamecano
RB Leipzig's first-choice centre-back and a Manchester United transfer target, Dayot Upamecano, is suspended for tonight's game after picking up his third yellow card of the group stage last week against Istanbul Basaksehir.
Dayot Upamecano is a tall and pacy centre-back who is just as adept at tackling as he is when it comes to aerial duels. He will be sorely missed against a pacy Manchester United frontline that is lethal when they counter-attack.
Marcus Rashford was excellent against West Ham United in the weekend and just like he did in the reverse fixture, he found a lot of joy running in behind the defence. Upamecano would have been able to match his pace but unfortunately, RB Leipzig will have to look at alternative plans to curb Manchester United's attacking threat.
#2 Manchester United's away form
While they have failed to maintain Old Trafford as the fortress it once was, Manchester United have been nearly unstoppable away from home. They have now won nine away games on the trot in the Premier League and what's even more interesting is the fact that they came from behind to win their last five away wins in the English top-flight.
The Red Devils seem to be relishing encounters away from home at the moment and work best when faced with adversity. It's not the healthiest of habits but it's one that has worked for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and his men so far this season.
They have also beaten Paris Saint-Germain away from home. Solskjaer will be asking for more of the same from his players. They absolutely have to come away with at least a point tonight and they'll be in enemy territory. Well, it looks like the odds are stacked sufficiently against them, doesn't it?
#1 Bruno Fernandes' form
Yes, we need to talk about it. Bruno Fernandes is currently one of the best midfielders on the planet. Manchester United looked a bit clueless without him on the pitch in the first half against West Ham United.
Solskjaer wanted to rest both Fernandes and Rashford so that they will be charged up for RB Leipzig. However, United were played out of the park by the Hammers in the first half and Ole had to call on his most reliable duo.
Bruno Fernandes created a total of eight chances from open play in the second half for Manchester United. Those are unreal numbers. He was involved in all three goals and has been one of the best players in Europe this season.
He has been the difference maker for Manchester United and given how prolific he has been, Solskjaer will look to the Portuguese to produce a match-winning performance tonight and he might just do it simply because he is in the habit of doing so.
