The first leg of this match was a bit of a slug-fest and uneasy on the eye as both sides carved out a 1-1 draw.
Although they failed to win, Manchester United will be happy with this result as it secures an away-goal for them to capitalise on at Old Trafford. However, their FA Cup match against Chelsea was a poor display, particularly after they went down to ten men and they really failed to threaten their opponents goal whatsoever. This mean’s United’s win-less run stretches to three in all competitions.
As you would expect from a Jose Mourinho side, the Red Devils are primarily focused on their defensive foundation and this is one of the reasons why they have the second-best goals against record in the division. Having said that, they have now failed to keep a clean sheet in any of their last four games. Thankfully for United, Zlatan Ibrahimovic is not suspended in the Europa League and should provide them with the potency that they badly need up front for this match.
United could only muster a disappointing draw in their last home match against AFC Bournemouth, however, it does still mean that Mourinho’s men are unbeaten at Old Trafford since mid-September.
Rostov put in the classic Rostov performance last Thursday night as their grit and resilience as well as an ability to take their chance saw them earn a deserved 1-1 draw at Olimp-2. They need to score at Old Trafford to have any chance of going through which seems unlikely, but they have caused upsets before.
Even for the low-scoring Russian league, Rostov are considered a defensive team and they have only found the back of the net 25 times in 19 league games so far this campaign. However, as alluded to, Ivan Daniliants’ team are as solid as a rock at the back and recorded yet another clean sheet at the weekend. They have not conceded a league goal since the Russian Premier League season resumed after the lengthy winter break and overall have let in just 12 over the course of the season.
Selmashi may have won their last away game in convincing fashion as they thrashed relegation-threatened Tom Tomsk 6-0. However, going away from home has not been joyful for Rostov and they have taken a rather pathetic five points from nine games outside the Olimp-2 in the league this season whilst they have only won just one of their seven European matches in the club’s history.
I expect United to come through here but, with Rostov being so defensively sound and United lacking a bit going forward (bar Ibrahimovic), we’re likely to see a similar affair to the first leg with few goals. ‘Manchester United to Win and Under 2.5 Goals Total’ at 2/1 looks a good bet here.
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