Both teams faced humiliating defeats domestically over the weekend. Manchester United suffered a 3-0 home loss to Bournemouth in the Premier League, while Thomas Tuchel's Bayern Munich experienced a shocking 5-1 defeat away to Eintracht Frankfurt in the Bundesliga.
In Tuesday's intriguing Champions League contest, Manchester United, currently at the bottom of Group A with four points, needs specific circumstances to unfold in their favor to sneak into second place behind Bayern, who have already secured their position as group winners.
Manchester United has had a tendency for high-scoring matches in this season's European Cup, exemplified by their 3-3 draw with Galatasaray on November 29, where they squandered 2-0 and 3-1 leads.
The sense of doom deepens for Manchester United, with their chances resting on a win against Bayern. Even if they manage to defy the odds, they would also need Copenhagen and Galatasaray, both one point ahead, to draw in their contest. Otherwise, facing demotion to the Europa League or complete elimination from continental football could dampen their holiday spirits.
Manchester United's recent struggles were highlighted by a harrowing 3-0 Premier League defeat to Bournemouth, leaving coach Erik ten Hag acknowledging his team's inadequacy at competing consistently at the top level.
On the other hand, Bayern Munich seeks to restore pride after their first Bundesliga defeat of the season against Eintracht Frankfurt. The Bavarians are aiming to extend their unbeaten run in Champions League group-stage away games to 20 matches, with their last eight away games all resulting in victories, setting all-time best records in Europe's top competition.
Having already defeated Manchester United 4-3 at the Allianz Arena in September, Bayern aims to continue their dominance. While Manchester United secured a 3-2 win at Old Trafford in April 2010, replicating that result 13 years later may not be enough to salvage their Champions League campaign this time around.
INJURIES & SUSPENSION
The majority of Manchester United's injured players won't be back in action anytime soon. Lisandro Martinez (foot), Casemiro (thigh), Tyrell Malacia (knee), Christian Eriksen (knee), and Amad Diallo (knee) are all expected to miss the upcoming game, despite Diallo's recent return to full training.Mason Mount (calf) and Victor Lindelof (knock) will require assessments before the Bayern match. Jadon Sancho remains excluded, and Marcus Rashford, who was on the bench this month due to a European ban, is back in contention.
Following a disappointing performance over the weekend, coach Erik ten Hag may consider making several changes, with Rashford's return likely to be one of them. Players like Kobbie Mainoo, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Rasmus Hojlund, and potentially Raphael Varane could benefit from some much-needed rotation.
On the Bayern side, Serge Gnabry faced a setback in the Bundesliga match against Frankfurt, sustaining a "major strain" only five minutes after coming on as a substitute. This injury will keep him sidelined, joining Matthijs de Ligt (knee), Bouna Sarr (knee), Gabriel Marusic (knee), and Tarek Buchmann (hamstring) on the injury list. However, the absence of Gnabry creates an opportunity for Jamal Musiala to return to the starting XI.
While Thomas Muller, amid rumors of a potential move to Manchester United in 2024, may also feature at Old Trafford for coach Thomas Tuchel's side. With their first-placed finish already secured, some lineup tweaks can be expected from Bayern in the upcoming match.
POSSIBLE LINE-UPS
Manchester United possible starting lineup:Onana; Wan-Bissaka, Maguire, Varane, Shaw; McTominay, Mainoo; Antony, Fernandes, Rashford; Hojlund
Bayern Munich possible starting lineup:
Neuer; Laimer, Upamecano, Kim, Guerreiro; Goretzka, Kimmich; Musiala, Muller, Sane; Kane
EXPERT PREDICTION
Manchester United 1-3 Bayern Munich
Although Manchester United will likely go all out for a crucial three points, it's expected that only one team will bounce back from their humiliating weekend defeat. Unfortunately for the hosts, it appears that their continental adventure will come to an early conclusion.
