FC Porto Vs Manchester United: Europa League 2024-25 Preview

FC Porto and Manchester United’s forthcoming Europa League match is crucial for both teams. Manchester United, currently struggling for form in both domestic and European competitions, is looking to bounce back and relieve pressure on manager Erik ten Hag. The manager is fighting to save his job after a recent 3-0 Premier League drubbing at the hands of Tottenham.

FC Porto vs. Manchester United: Match Details

Match: FC Porto vs Manchester United (UEFA Europa League)

Date & Time: Thursday, October 3, 2024, 20:00 BST

Stadium: Estádio do Dragão, Porto, Portugal

Weather: 64°F (18°C), Partly Cloudy with a 5% chance of rain. The wind direction will be from the WNW at 8 mph.

FC Porto vs. Manchester United: Preview

Erik Ten Hag was disappointed by the draw at Old Trafford against FC Twente, a match they should have comfortably won on paper. A goal from Christian Eriksen was not enough that day, as he was directly involved in United conceding at the other end with an error. That mistake led to a stalemate at full-time. Still, from a United perspective, two valuable points were dropped. The Red Devils could also use a win against FC Porto as a confidence booster in the Premier League, where they sit 13th, suffering from inconsistent results.

The 3-0 thrashing at the hands of Tottenham at Old Trafford was a recent setback for the former Premier League Champions, in which Bruno Fernandez was sent off in the first half. FC Porto, on the other hand, is enjoying a good run. They won the last three games in the league and sit second just behind Sporting CP in Liga Portugal. They would want to recover immediately in Europe following their disappointing first-match loss to FK Bodø/Glimt, in which they were heavy favorites.

FC Porto Vs Manchester United: Team News & Stats

Erik Ten Hag can’t complain about an injured squad anymore. Only Leny Yoro, Luke Shaw, and Tyrel Malacia are the absentees through injury right now. Yoro looks to be back in mid-November. Shaw was expected to return this time around, but according to reports, upon further testing of his condition, the England international would likely miss an additional 6–8 weeks of football. Kobbie Mainoo also looked doubtful for tomorrow; however, the youngster was pictured in the first team this morning. Mason Mount was subbed off with an injury against the Spurs but might be part of the squad.

Andres Villas-Boas would be looking to field the same side in their 4-0 win over Arouca in the league. Arsenal loanee Fabio Viera is likely to start in the Europa League. FC Porto have won two of their eight European meetings with Manchester United. The most recent game between them was a 2008-09 UEFA Champions League quarterfinal, which was won by the Red Devils following a brilliant strike from Cristiano Ronaldo that remains one for the books.

Manchester United are unbeaten in their last 12 major European matches against Portuguese clubs, winning nine and drawing three. Based on history, Erik Ten Hag’s side might go in as favorites. In their 3-2 defeat to Bode/Glimt, FC Porto attempted 28 shots, their most in a match in major European competition since March 2019 against Roma in the UEFA Champions League (31), and most in a UEFA Europa League game since December 2010 against CSKA Sofia (28).

Possible Starting XI

Manchester United: Onana, Dalot, Martínez, de Ligt, Mazraoui, Ugarte, Eriksen, Fernandes, Rashford, Garnacho, Hojlund.

FC Porto: Costa, Mário, Pérez, Moura, Sousa, Pepe, Galeno, Varela, Omorodion. Viera, Nico

Prediction

This game will be extremely close because of FC Porto’s strong home record and Manchester United’s difficulties in both the Premier League and Europe. Porto will probably take advantage of United’s inconsistency, and the English side is capable of competing. We predict that a closely contested draw appears to be the most likely result. 1-1 is the prediction.

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