Manchester United take on Bayern Munich tomorrow evening in their final Champions League group-stage fixture. Kick-off is at 8pm.
Sitting rock bottom of Group A on four points, the Red Devils’ fate for the last-16 is out of their hands; even if they manage to overturn Bayern, they will be relying on Copenhagen and Galatsaray’s clash ending in a draw.
The Bundesliga giants head to England boasting a 39-game unbeaten streak in the group stage, having just seen their 17-game winning run abruptly concluded following their stalemate against Copenhagen.
Last time out for Thomas Tuchel’s men, they were thoroughly humiliated in a league meeting with seventh-placed Eintracht Frankfurt, conceding five goals and managing to offer just one in response. The result leaves them four points away from the top spot in the division – a place they’re so accustomed to occupying each year.
As for United, it’s been nothing short of a tumultuous term thus far. Bournemouth made history by reigning victorious at Old Trafford for the first-ever time on Saturday, netting three goals against the unspirited, dismal Reds.
Finishing third in the group means dropping down to the Europa League, a prospect which has warranted mixed reviews from fans given United’s debilitating injury crisis this season.
There’s no doubt that each corner of United’s support will be ready to bring the noise from the first blow of the whistle, but whether or not that’s enough for the players to actually get out of second gear – which hasn’t been the case in countless instances recently – remains to be seen.
United vs Bayern 23/24 statistics
Alas, here’s how the two sides fare prior to kick-off in M16 (all competitions).
United
Games: 23
Wins: 12
Losses: 11
Goals scored: 33
Goals conceded: 38
Top goalscorer: Scott McTominay (six)
Bayern
Games: 20
Wins: 15
Losses: 2
Goals scored: 60
Goals conceded: 22
Top goalscorer: Harry Kane (22)
