Tuesday 27th November 2000hrs Manchester United v Young Boys Football – Europe – Champions League The old cliché in football is that it only takes a second to score a goal and it was very much applicable in Manchester United’s previous game in this section. Their late salvage against Juventus has totally transformed the look of this group and they go into Tuesday’s home game knowing that a win a preferable result in the other match in the group could see them qualify. It’s an altogether different story for their opponents who already find themselves unable to reach the next stage but they will be relishing the prospect of playing at Old Trafford. Continue reading for a preview of Manchester United against Young Boys with a best betting tip selection.
Jose Mourinho clearly enjoyed his team’s excellent comeback to win 2-1 away to Juventus last time out in this competition. The former Inter Milan boss made no secret of it as he taunted the home support after the final whistle and even those who dislike him most would probably have granted him it as he’s not had much to celebrate lately. It’s also not been the catalyst he’d have hoped for in the league, losing the derby to Manchester City 3-1 and then playing out a dire goalless draw at home to Crystal Palace on Saturday. They’re now 14 points adrift of City and sit in seventh spot. It’s looking less likely by the week that they will be able to qualify for next season’s Champions League via the domestic route. It could well leave them having to win this year’s competition and whilst the win over Juve will give them some sort of belief, they still appear some way behind the best in Europe for that to be realistic or achievable. More immediately however, a win against their Swiss opponents combined with a Valencia defeat in Turin would see United through with a game to spare.
The gap between the big four (or five depending on which way you look at it) and the rest of the leagues in Europe is getting bigger by the season so we really shouldn’t be surprised at the situation in Group H. Young Boys done exceptionally well to reach the group stages – despite being champions of their own domestic league – and were faced with the prospect of playing three teams from the top three leagues in Europe. For a club playing their first time at this stage of the competition, it was always going to be a huge ask for them and that’s the way it’s proving. They sit bottom of the group with no realistic chance of getting out the group. Their only point came at home to Valencia and they still have an outside chance of making the Europa League knockout phase, should they finish third in the group. To do that, however, they would likely have to win both of their remaining games which means beating United away on Tuesday and then at home to Juventus on match day six.
Manchester United v Young Boys Betting Tip
Regardless of what happens against Young Boys on Tuesday or if United even qualify for the knockout phase, there’s no getting away from the amount of problems that Mourinho faces with this current squad. Their below par performances are becoming the norm and although there is little doubting the players’ motivation and fight for their manager, big questions have to be asked for how long this can go on until changes are made. Young Boys are at the other end of the spectrum as they continue to dominate domestically but simply don’t have the resources to compete at Europe’s top table. It’s a damning indictment of where the Champions League is these days and with the finances involved then it only looks like becoming an even bigger gap between those who have and those who don’t.
United are yet to win at home in the Champions League this season with a draw against Valencia and being beaten by Juventus whilst Young Boys are pointless on their travels, so something will have to give. It’s extremely hard to back United with any sort of confidence considering their recent form, especially at home, but they showed on match day one that they are superior to Young Boys all over the park and with their need so great to get a win tomorrow, you have to think that quality will tell once again. I expect them to come out firing from the start in this one to try and stave off any nerves or frustration. Back the home team to be winning at half time and full time.
Selection Manchester United Half Time/Full Time 20/23 @ Coral
