Manchester United vs Shakhtar Donetsk - Match Preview

Manchester United manager David Moyes gives instructions during a first team training session

David Moyes will be hoping to lift the mood surrounding Old Trafford following two consecutive defeats at home with a win over Shakhtar Donetsk. United have qualified for the knock-out stages of the Champions League after beating Bayer Leverkusen 5-0 in Germany.

Moyes needs just a draw to secure top spot in Group A but Shakhtar will be looking for a win to cement their place in the knock-out rounds.

Team News

Manchester United

Wayne Rooney will make his return to action against the Ukrainians after missing the Newcastle United defeat with a suspension. Moyes may well start with Robin van Persie in an attempt to win the game and end their run of defeats on home soil. However, with his recent premature return from injury, Van Persie may well start the match on the bench.

Shinji Kagawa will probably return to the side with Moyes expected to field a similar team to the one that lost on Saturday.

Predicted line-up (4-2-3-1): De Gea, Rafael, Evans, Vidic, Evra; Fellaini, Jones; Welbeck, Kagawa, Valencia; Rooney.

Shakhtar Donetsk

Shakhtar are expected to go full strength at Old Trafford and use Man Utd’s recent frailties to their advantage. Mircea Lucescu has no injury concerns ahead of their crunch tie.

Predicted line-up (4-5-1): Kanibolotskiy; Srna, Kucher, Chygrynskiy, Ismaily; Stepanenko, Fred, Douglas Costa , Alex Teixeira, Taison; Luiz Adriano.

Recent Form

Manchester United’s recent form is one to forget for the supporters. They’ve lost at home to Everton and Newcastle over four days and Moyes’ reign is at a crisis point. If they lose to Shakhtar the fans will be on his back like he’s never known.

Shakhtar have hit form at just the right time in the group. They beat Real Sociedad 4-0 in their last match and overran them with pace and power. They will take that into the match at Old Trafford, for sure.

Players to Watch

Manchester United – Wayne Rooney

Rooney has been the main man at United this season. In van Persie’s absence, Rooney has led the line well, scoring goals and creating them too. They missed his guile and endeavour against Newcastle and it showed.

Rooney has scored eight league goals this season, one more than van Persie and has also assisted five goals. That’s also one of the best in the league. If United are to play well and win, Rooney is the key man for them. Should Shakhtar restrict what he does in the final third, it will be another tough day at Old Trafford for David Moyes.

Shakhtar Donetsk – Douglas Costa

Costa showed his talent in their last group match at home to Real Sociedad. He was brilliant, scoring twice and and assisting once. Shakhtar are making a habit of signing unknown Brazilians and moulding them into special talents and Costa seems to be the next on the conveyor belt.

He is a fantastic player with bags of ability. He is quick, skilful and powerful and will cause United problems if Rafael doesn’t stick tight to him all night.

Prediction

It will be a tough one but I think Shakhtar will edge it by one goal. United have been quite good in Europe this season but the past two defeats will not help them when they face a resurgent Shakhtar. The Ukrainians needs to win to qualify for the knockout stages so they’ll be fired up and ready to cause some damage on the counter.

Their attacking threat in Adriano, Taison and Costa would trouble many defences and I have no doubt that they’ll cause havoc against United’s weak backline.

Manchester United 1-2 Shakhtar Donetsk