Erik ten Hag has said he is not worried about the hostile atmosphere Manchester United will encounter on Wednesday night when they face Copenhagen at the Parken Stadium.
The Red Devils travel to the Danish capital in need of three points if they are to keep their faint hopes of qualifying for the Champions League knockout stages alive. A win against Copenhagen would see United move into second spot in the group, if Bayern Munich manage to beat Galatasaray.
Two weeks on from the dramatic victory over Copenhagen at Old Trafford, opposition manager Jacob Neestrup warned United to expect an atmosphere at Parken that will be 100 times more intense than the one he experienced in the reverse fixture. But Ten Hag said that his team will not be overawed by the occasion.
"We are looking forward and this team is experienced and has experienced hostile [atmospheres],” he claimed. “For instance, last year, [in] Barcelona. We can get good performances and we can get good results, we know that."
Meanwhile, the United boss has a number of selection dilemmas, like whether to select the out-of-form Antony once again. Ten Hag defended the winger on Tuesday and said his short break in the team over September has ‘broke the rhythm’.
If Ten Hag does opt to drop the Brazilian from the starting XI, Marcus Rashford could be an option after he returned to the squad. The 26-year-old missed the trip to Fulham on Saturday, but his manager said Rashford is ‘100 percent ready to play’.
Who to select out wide is certainly among Ten Hag’s predicaments ahead of the game, along which combination he should deploy at the back. Here’s how we think United will line up…
1. GK: Andre Onana
That penalty save two weeks ago has rejuvenated his United career following a difficult start.
2. RB: Aaron Wan-Bissaka
Has quickly re-established himself as first-choice right-back after returning from a recent injury.
3. CB: Harry Maguire
Ten Hag fielded questions on Tuesday about Maguire's ability to play following a head injury he sustained at Craven Cottage.
4. CB: Raphael Varane
It's been a strange period recently for Varane due to illness, injury and poor form, which has seen Varane drop out of the team. But he could come back in for Tuesday's game.