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Manchester United have looked like a side with purpose since the restart and their hard work paid off last month after they ended up securing a Champions League spot for next season.
They have been exceptional in the Europa League this term and are probably the strongest team left in the competition. They are the leading scorers in the competition with 23 goals and have only lost once throughout the campaign.
After Manchester United secured a triumphant 7-1 win on aggregate over Austrian side LASK in their Round-of-16 fixture, they face Danish club FC København in the quarter-finals.
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Copenhagen's campaign so far is modest at best when compared with that of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's men as they have made it to the last eight with just four wins. They were excellent in their previous fixture as they sent İstanbul Başakşehir packing with a 3-0 win, overturning a 1-0 deficit from the first-leg.
They are huge underdogs in their first-ever European quarter-final but the knockout-style nature of the fixture at a neutral venue can be beneficial for them as it increases the chances of an upset.
At this stage of the competition, nothing less than a concerted team effort would earn the clubs a win but still, there are some one-on-one battles that will matter more than others. We take a look at five key battles that could decide the outcome of the game.
#5 Anthony Martial vs Victor Nelsson
Anthony Martial was the joint top-scorer for Manchester United in their 2019-20 Premier League campaign as he bagged 17 goals playing as a lone striker.
In the Europa League, he has only made 5 appearances for Manchester United but still netted four times. He scored in just his fourth minute on the pitch after coming on in the game against LASK, giving them the decisive lead. It is expected that he will start against Copenhagen replacing Odion Ighalo.
Well, if he does start he won't find it easy getting past Copenhagen's 21-year-old defender Victor Nelsson, who has been a rock at the back for the Danish side. Nelsson stood out in the EURO U-21 2019 for his country and has since continued his development at the club.
In nine appearances in the Europa League, he has been phenomenal, winning 5.8 aerial duels per 90, making 5.8 clearances per 90 and also attempting a tackle per game.
Martial is superior when it comes to pace and skills but Nelsson has great concentration and will completely dominate the Frenchman in the air, so it will be an interesting battle to watch out for.
#4 Juan Mata vs Nicolai Boilesen
It is sometimes easy to forget that Juan Mata still plies his trade with Manchester United. Though he has not been highly involved in the league, he is revelling in his role in the Europa League for Manchester United as he has notched up five assists and two goals in the competition this season.
The playmaker has played just behind the striker on the right flank and has generated 2.3 key passes per 90, thus keeping him in check will be crucial for Copenhagen.
Well, the now-fit Nicolai Boilesen can step up to face the Spanish midfielder as he is probably the best left defender in the Danish side's ranks. He made his first appearance in the Europa League following a lengthy spell on the sidelines and impressed with his contributions at both ends of the pitch.
#3 Harry Maguire vs Jonas Wind
Manchester United skipper Harry Maguire faces a tough task in the match as he will have to deal with Jonas Wind, the 21-year-old striker who scored two goals and provided an assist in Copenhagen's 3-0 win over Başakşehir in his first Europa League appearance of the season.
Maguire has been involved in seven games in the competition so far and in five of those Manchester United managed a shutout. The world's most expensive defender has relied on his physical strength to steal the ball from the strikers but that trick might not work against Wind, who possesses great strength despite his young age and is strong in the air as well.
Wind is back to full fitness after a lengthy layoff and will add much-needed threat to his side who have only scored 12 goals this campaign.
#2 Fred vs Rasmus Falk Jensen
Fred has put a disastrous debut season at the Old Trafford behind him and has earned the trust of Solskjaer this season, as he made 29 appearances in the Premier League and seven in the Europa League.
It is in the continental competition where he has performed better with an all-round performance. He has scored two goals, provided four assists and maintained an impressive 90% pass success as well.
Manchester United have heavily relied on their midfielders this season and to win the game they will first have to win the battle in the middle of the pitch. A player who can spoil their party is Rasmus Falk Jensen, who has been central to Copenhagen's midfield plans this season.
He has one goal and two assists in the competition so far, but it is his defensive contribution that has impressed. Despite being an attack-minded midfielder, he has often stayed behind to help out his defenders and, as a result, average 1.8 tackles per 90 and made 1.7 interceptions every game to break opposition play.
#1 Bruno Fernandes vs Zeca
Bruno Fernandes' arrival has turned the things around for Manchester United since his signing in the January transfer window. He made a seamless transition from playing at Sporting to playing at the Old Trafford and just as he has been a key player in their top-four finish, will be key in the match against Copenhagen.
He is currently the leading goalscorer in the tournament, though only one of his six goals have come for Manchester United. In his three appearances in the competition as a United player, he scored one goal and had one assist. But his real contribution to the team has been the energy he brings on the pitch.
If there's anyone in the Copenhagen squad who can give a tough fight to the Portuguese it has to be the veteran midfielder Zeca. The Greek midfielder is not known for his goalscoring abilities but is a solid defensive presence. He has made an astonishing 4.6 tackles per 90 in the Europa League and averaged 2.2 interceptions per game.
The game will clearly be won in the midfield, as both of the sides like to attack from the centre and if Zeca and Copenhagen manage to keep Fernandes quiet, they can cause a major upset on Tuesday night.
Also See:
Manchester United vs Copenhagen prediction, preview, team news and more | UEFA Europa League 2019-2020
