Manchester United vs AS Saint-Etienne – UEFA Europa League – Preview

Posted on February 17, 2017 by Sreya

Manchester United vs AS Saint-Etienne – Manchester United hosts AS Saint-Etienne at the Old Trafford on 16th February, Thursday in the first leg of their Round of 32 tie of the UEFA Europa League .

Manchester United scraped through a relatively easy group in the Europa League alongside Feyenoord, Fenerbahce and Zorya in spite of a couple of losses. Jose Mourinho’s side have been the form side of the English Premier League in the last couple of months and will be the favorites against the Ligue 1 club.

AS Saint-Etienne are unbeaten in this season’s UEFA Europa League and currently sit in the fifth place in Ligue 1 standings. Although none of their previous European opponents this season were clubs of Manchester United’s stature, Christophe Galtier’s side could pose a tough challenge.

Team News

Wayne Rooney, Michael Carrick and Phil Jones are sidelined through injuries but Jose Mourinho is likely to name a strong first eleven otherwise. The visitors will be without the injured Oussame Tannane, Robert Beric, Alexander Soderlund and Cheikh M’Bengue.

Manchester United Possible Starting Lineup: David de Gea, Antonio Valencia, Eric Bailly, Chris Smalling, Daley Blind, Ander Herrera, Paul Pogba, Juan Mata, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Anthony Martial, Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

AS Saint-Etienne Possible Starting Lineup: Stephane Ruffier, Kevin Malcuit, Kevin Theophile-Catherine, Loic Perrin, Florentin Pogba, Jordan Veretout, Vincent Pajot, Romain Hamouma, Henri Saivet, Kevin Monnet-Paquet, Nolan Roux.

“Initially, we said ‘damn, that’s not the best draw’. But we’re playing in Europe to take part in exactly this type of match. They’re a top European club who, not so long ago, were winning the Champions League.”

– Loic Perrin, AS Saint-Etienne.

Contributor’s Pick

According to Manchester United vs AS Saint-Etienne H2H Stats, these two clubs have never faced each other before. AS Saint-Etienne are undefeated in their last 10 matches in the UEFA Europa League, but Manchester United are the favorites tonight and are likely to win 2-0.