Man Utd vs Bayern Munich tips and predictions: Desperate reds not good enough to beat German champions
- George Dempsey
- 11 December 2023
Manchester United and Erik ten Hag face a must-win match against Bayern Munich in the Champions League on Tuesday.
Even by the inconsistent standard they’ve set in recent seasons, Manchester United look a complete shambles and incapable of competing at the top level.
That may sound like a harsh assessment given they’re sixth and on the brink of the European places, but individual quality alone has achieved that.
The Reds have conceded three or more in five of their last 10 and won just four of those games. Fulham are the only top-half team they’ve beaten since April.
Luckily for Erik ten Hag, he only has to go up against one of the world’s best teams with arguably the world’s best striker to potentially save his job. What could go wrong?
Bayern will be in no mood to mess around after they were thrashed 5-1 by Eintracht Frankfurt at the weekend.
That stunning defeat was their first of a Bundesliga season in which they’ve won 10 of 12, drawing against league leaders Bayer Leverkusen and RB Leipzig.
Before that, Bayern drew 0-0 against Copenhagen in a dead rubber. That game didn’t matter and it was reflected in the way it was played. However, this is different.
Games between two big clubs always matter. The Munich players had more than enough motivation to win at Old Trafford before being thumped on the weekend.
United’s soft record against teams in the top half of the Premier League is applicable against a side of this quality. They’ve won just three of the last 13.
A lot is being made of motivation, but what about lack of quality? Ten Hag’s side have been outscored 15-2 in losing all six meetings with the Premier League’s current top eight.
On the other hand, Bayern have been an immovable object in this competition and there’s just a clear gulf in class between the sides.
Team news
Tyrell Malacia, Lisandro Martinez, Victor Lindelof, Casemiro, Christian Eriksen, Amad Diallo and Jadon Sancho are ruled out for Man Utd.
Marcus Rashford has served a suspension and is available for selection.
Serge Gnabry, Matthijs de Ligt and a handful of bench players may be unavailable for Thomas Tuchel’s side.
However, Jamal Musiala could return to the starting XI to play with Harry Kane, Thomas Muller and Leroy Sane.
Key stats
- Man Utd have won six of their previous 15 home Champions League ties
- Man Utd have conceded three or more goals in five of their last 10
- In 71 Champions League ties, Bayern have only lost to Real Madrid, Man City, Liverpool, PSG and Villareal
- Both teams have scored in seven of Bayern’s previous 10 away games
