This is currently a mismatch as far as the European competition is concerned. Manchester United have been very inconsistent in all matches this season, while Bayern Munich has settled into the ideas of manager Thomas Tuchel.
Erik ten Hag’s side started the season with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Wolves at Old Trafford before a 2-0 loss at Tottenham, and they needed a comeback to beat Nottingham Forest 3-2 at the Theatre of Dreams in the following game. United then lost 3-1 to Arsenal at the Emirates just before the international break. Upon the resumption of the league, the Red Devils were soundly beaten 3-1 at home by Brighton.
Fans were already displeased with the teams’ performances, which did not change when they traveled to Munich to face Bayern in their UEFA Champions League opener. A late fightback meant the scoreline was respectable, as the German giants prevailed 4-3.
They secured a 1-0 win over Burnley in the Premier League to return to winning ways. They followed that up with another comfortable 3-0 win over Crystal Palace in the Carabao Cup before losing to the same opposition in the Premier League a few days later at Old Trafford. Ten Hag’s men then made two consecutive losses in the UEFA Champions League when Galatasaray beat them at Old Trafford. United, however, secured wins over Brentford and Sheffield United on either side of the international break.
Andre Onana and Harry Maguire - the most criticized players at Manchester United - were the day's heroes as United defeated Copenhagen 1-0 at Old Trafford to pick their first set of points in their UEFA Champions League group. Former captain Maguire scored the game’s only goal, while the Cameroonian goalkeeper saved a last-minute penalty to deny the visitors an equalizer. As it has been in recent years, Manchester City humbled the Red Devils in the Manchester Derby at the end of October.
After the humbling German Super Cup loss to RB Leipzig, Bayern Munich have stepped things up in the Bundesliga this season with some clinical display. Since the arrival of Harry Kane from Tottenham, the attack has had a bit of definition, and the English striker has been getting goals for the Bavarians. As of the time of writing, Kane has scored 12 goals and contributed five assists in 12 Bundesliga games.
Bayern Munich opened the season with three consecutive wins over Werder Bremen, Augsburg, and Borussia Monchengladbach before playing out a 2-2 draw with Bayer Leverkusen at the Allianz Arena. Tuchel's team then scored 15 goals in three games across three different competitions to continue their fine start to the season - a 4-3 win over Manchester United in their UEFA Champions League group opener, a 7-0 win over Bochum in the Bundesliga, and a 4-0 win over Preussen Munster in the DFB Pokal. Returning to their meeting just weeks back, RB Leipzig held Bayern Munich to a 2-2 draw in the Bundesliga.
Bayern began the month of October with a comeback 2-1 win over Copenhagen in the reverse fixture. Lukas Lerager handed the hosts a shock lead at the Parken Stadium before the German champions rallied back through Jamal Musiala and a late winner from substitute Mathys Tel. The Bavarians won all the remaining games of the month as they defeated Freiburg, Mainz, and Darmstadt in the league, Galatasaray in the UCL, and Manchester United, who had a fine run in the Europa League last season, could finish their European journey this season there if they fail to beat the German champions. On the other hand, Bayern Munich is looking strong in the competition and are favorites to finish top of the group.
Recently, Bayern Munich has had an impeccable group stage record - eight successive away wins in the Champions League group - a competition record. In addition, Bayern have won their last 16 Champions League group games on the trot and are unbeaten in 37. Both are ongoing tournament records.
Match tickets
This epic match at Old Trafford in Manchester kicks off on Tuesday 12th December, at 9 PM UK time, and it will be shown live on TNT Sports, with coverage starting from around 8 PM.
This is a UEFA Champions League clash between two past competition winners. Wednesday will be a special night at the 74,310-capacity stadium, and Bayern Munich fans will fall in love with the atmosphere at the Theatre of Dream.
Getting tickets for Manchester United vs Bayern Munich tickets could take a lot of work, given the game's profile. Hence, you are advised to search ticket reselling sites should they be expectedly sold out on each club’s channels.
Line-ups
Manchester United’s injury list keeps growing with every passing day, and there could have been more before they file out to face Bayern Munich at Old Trafford. Luke Shaw, Kobbie Mainoo, Tyrell Malacia, and Amad Diallo are all long-term absentees. As for Jadon Sancho, he will not return to the squad anytime soon.
Manchester United: Onana; Dalot, Lindelof, Maguire, Reguilon; Casemiro, McTominay; Fernandez, Eriksen, Rashford; Hojlund.
Depending on what happened in Munich in the first leg, Thomas Tuchel might be tempted to make a few changes to his squad for this game. Leon Goretzka is currently nursing an injury, and Konrad Laimer could be given a chance in midfield. Meanwhile, club captain Manuel Neuer is back from his lengthy lay-off and is expected to be in goal for this one.
Bayern Munich: Neuer; Laimer, Upamecano, Kim, Davies; Goretzka, Kimmich; Sane, Muller, Gnabry; Kane.
Prediction
Bayern Munich are going positively, while Manchester United have been largely underwhelming in recent weeks. In the head-to-head record, the German side have only lost two of their 12 meetings with Manchester United.
Manchester United have struggled to keep clean sheets this season and are quite open at the back. The first leg meeting was a seven-goal thriller, and this one could be close to that.
Manchester United 1-2 Bayern Munich
