The lowdown on United v Valencia
UEFA Champions League football comes to Old Trafford for the first time this season when Manchester United host Valencia on Tuesday night.
Here’s everything you need to know ahead of Tuesday’s fixture…
Tuesday 2 October | Champions League | Old Trafford | Live build-up on MUTV from 18:30 BST | Kick-off at 20:00 BST | Referee: Slavko Vinčič
Jose Mourinho confirmed to MUTV on Monday that Ashley Young, Ander Herrera and Jesse Lingard have joined Marcos Rojo on the list of absentees. Young picked up an injury when playing at right-back against West Ham at the weekend, opening the possibility for either Diogo Dalot or Antonio Valencia to replace him on Tuesday. Sergio Romero is available again after he missed Saturday’s trip to the London Stadium through suspension.
What about Valencia?
The visitors could be without striker Santi Mina, after the 22-year-old missed Los Che’s last two games with a knee injury. Apart from him, the visitors have a clean bill of health. They have mostly operated with a 4-4-2 shape this season and the United backline will be wary of the threat posed by star man Rodrigo.
How have they started the season?
Valencia sit 14th in the La Liga table after seven games. They will however, be buoyed ahead of their travels to Manchester after finally gaining their first victory of the season at the weekend, against Real Sociedad. Los Che had previously drawn five league matches and lost one, to Espanyol in late August. The Spaniards were defeated in their last outing in the Champions League, when they went down 2-0 to Juventus.
Which players might we know?
Former Arsenal men Gabriel Paulista and Francis Coquelin play for Valencia, as does current Chelsea striker Michy Batshuayi, who is on loan at the club this season. Well-known stars like Geoffrey Kondogbia, Kevin Gameiro and Denis Cheryshev are also in their ranks.
The Reds last played Valencia in a competitive game on 7 December 2010, with Anderson netting in our 1-1 draw at Old Trafford.
We’ve played the La Liga side on eight occasions, winning two, drawing five and losing just once.
Who is their manager?
Marcelino is enjoying his second year in charge at the Mestalla. He led Valencia to a fourth-place finish and a Copa del Rey semi-final in his first season at the club. He has also previously managed Sevilla and Villarreal.
Who’s the referee?
Slavko Vincic takes charge of Tuesday night’s proceedings. The Slovenian official oversaw Burnley’s 3-1 defeat to Olympiacos in the Europa League earlier this season and also refereed a Champions League qualifying game between Fenerbahce and Benfica in August. Vincic will be supported by his assistants and compatriots Tomaz Klancnik and Andraz Kovacic.
Our Brazilian midfield spent last season on loan at the Mestalla, making 29 appearances and scoring one goal in that time.
Who else is playing in the Champions League?
There is a full complement of fixtures across Tuesday and Wednesday, as all 32 teams are in action. Here’s the schedule in full…
Tuesday 2 October
Group E: AEK Athens v Benfica
Group E: Bayern Munich v Ajax
Group F: Hoffenheim v Manchester City (17:55 BST)
Group F: Lyon v Shakhtar Donetsk
Group G: CSKA Moscow v Real Madrid
Group G: Roma v Viktoria Plzen
Group H: Juventus v Young Boys (17:55 BST)
Group H: Manchester United v Valencia
Wednesday 3 October
Group A: Atletico Madrid v Club Brugge
Group A: Borussia Dortmund v Monaco
Group B: PSV Eindhoven v Inter Milan
Group B: Tottenham Hotspur v Barcelona
Group C: Paris Saint Germain v Red Star Belgrade (17:55 BST)
Group C: Napoli v Liverpool
Group D: Lokomotiv Moscow v FC Schalke 04 (17:55 BST)
Group D: FC Porto v Galatasaray
Matches kick off at 20:00 BST unless stated.
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