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Manchester United travel to Germany hopeful of upsetting the odds and reaching the Champions League semi-finals at the expense of holders Bayern Munich.
The
clubs have enjoyed contrasting fortunes domestically this season, with
Bayern having already retained their Bundesliga title while English
champions United languish seventh in the Premier League table.
But
while all-conquering Bayern were expected to sweep David Moyes' team
aside in the first leg of their quarter-final at Old Trafford last
Tuesday, a spirited display from the Red Devils secured a 1-1 draw to
take to the Allianz Arena - and they head into this game with all the
momentum.
Bayern are without several central options through
injury and suspension and were beaten for the first time in 18 months on
Saturday, while United are the best away side in the English top flight
and thrashed Newcastle at the weekend.
Bayern's 1-0 setback at
Augsburg ended their record 53-match unbeaten run in the Bundesliga.
Guardiola shrugged off the defeat, but described the second leg with
United as a "life or death match".
By contrast, United were
dominant in a 4-0 win at St James' Park on Saturday, though Juan Mata,
who scored twice, is ineligible in Europe.
Striker Robin van
Persie misses out again with a knee injury and Wayne Rooney is doubtful
with a bruised toe, though Patrice Evra is back from a ban and should be
fit despite going off against the Magpies.
Bastian
Schweinsteiger scored Bayern's goal in the first leg but misses out here
after picking up a late red card at Old Trafford. Die Roten are also
without Javi Martinez through suspension, while Thiago Alcantara is
sidelined with a knee problem and Xherdan Shaqiri (thigh) will also miss
out.
But despite the weekend's results and Bayern's injuries, Guardiola's side should be regarded as heavy favourites to progress.
United
have endured a tricky first campaign under Moyes, who replaced the
legendary Sir Alex Ferguson last July, with the club now mathematically
certain to relinquish their Premier League title as they sit 17 points
adrift of leaders Liverpool with five games to play.
They also
look likely to miss out on qualification for the Champions League for
the first time since 1995-96, as they are seven points behind
fourth-placed Arsenal.
Moyes has been under severe pressure in
recent weeks, especially following humbling defeats at Olympiakos and at
home to Liverpool and Manchester City. Some supporters even organised
and paid for an aeroplane to fly over Old Trafford urging the club's
board to sack the Scot.
And Bayern, despite their loss at the
weekend, have continued to flourish under Pep Guardiola's guidance, with
the Bavarians wrapping up the German title with seven matches to spare,
while they remain on course to retain both their Champions League and
DFB-Pokal crowns.
Schweinsteiger's away goal also puts Bayern in
the driving seat to reach the semi-finals, with United needing to win or
record a high-scoring draw of 2-2 or higher on the night.
However,
United left-back Evra believes his side can emulate Chelsea's 2011-12
season, when the London club finished sixth in the Premier League but
won the Champions League.
"It was funny because the season
reminded me of the Chelsea season when they won the Champions League
when they were not playing well in the league," Evra told reporters.
"I am not saying we are going to do the same but sometimes you have to be positive, so why not?
"Of
course it is unusual for us to say we can save our season in one game.
Now we must make sure the fans will be proud for the second leg against
Bayern."
Manchester United travel to Germany hopeful of upsetting the odds and
reaching the Champions League semi-finals at the expense of holders
Bayern Munich.
The clubs have enjoyed contrasting fortunes
domestically this season, with Bayern having already retained their
Bundesliga title while English champions United languish seventh in the
Premier League table.
But while all-conquering Bayern were
expected to sweep David Moyes' team aside in the first leg of their
quarter-final at Old Trafford last Tuesday, a spirited display from the
Red Devils secured a 1-1 draw to take to the Allianz Arena - and they
head into this game with all the momentum.
Bayern are without
several central options through injury and suspension and were beaten
for the first time in 18 months on Saturday, while United are the best
away side in the English top flight and thrashed Newcastle at the
weekend.
Bayern's 1-0 setback at Augsburg ended their record
53-match unbeaten run in the Bundesliga. Guardiola shrugged off the
defeat, but described the second leg with United as a "life or death
match".
By contrast, United were dominant in a 4-0 win at St
James' Park on Saturday, though Juan Mata, who scored twice, is
ineligible in Europe.
Striker Robin van Persie misses out again
with a knee injury and Wayne Rooney is doubtful with a bruised toe,
though Patrice Evra is back from a ban and should be fit despite going
off against the Magpies.
Bastian Schweinsteiger scored Bayern's
goal in the first leg but misses out here after picking up a late red
card at Old Trafford. Die Roten are also without Javi Martinez through
suspension, while Thiago Alcantara is sidelined with a knee problem and
Xherdan Shaqiri (thigh) will also miss out.
But despite the weekend's results and Bayern's injuries, Guardiola's side should be regarded as heavy favourites to progress.
United
have endured a tricky first campaign under Moyes, who replaced the
legendary Sir Alex Ferguson last July, with the club now mathematically
certain to relinquish their Premier League title as they sit 17 points
adrift of leaders Liverpool with five games to play.
They also
look likely to miss out on qualification for the Champions League for
the first time since 1995-96, as they are seven points behind
fourth-placed Arsenal.
Moyes has been under severe pressure in
recent weeks, especially following humbling defeats at Olympiakos and at
home to Liverpool and Manchester City. Some supporters even organised
and paid for an aeroplane to fly over Old Trafford urging the club's
board to sack the Scot.
And Bayern, despite their loss at the
weekend, have continued to flourish under Pep Guardiola's guidance, with
the Bavarians wrapping up the German title with seven matches to spare,
while they remain on course to retain both their Champions League and
DFB-Pokal crowns.
Schweinsteiger's away goal also puts Bayern in
the driving seat to reach the semi-finals, with United needing to win or
record a high-scoring draw of 2-2 or higher on the night.
However,
United left-back Evra believes his side can emulate Chelsea's 2011-12
season, when the London club finished sixth in the Premier League but
won the Champions League.
"It was funny because the season
reminded me of the Chelsea season when they won the Champions League
when they were not playing well in the league," Evra told reporters.
"I am not saying we are going to do the same but sometimes you have to be positive, so why not?
"Of
course it is unusual for us to say we can save our season in one game.
Now we must make sure the fans will be proud for the second leg against
Bayern."