With every passing game David Moyes' position as Manchester United manager looks more untenable, and only a big win at home to Olympiacos on Wednesday will quell speculation of a quick departure. United head into the match 2-0 down on aggregate, after delivering perhaps their worst performance of Moyes' tenure in the away leg in Piraeus.
Manchester United vs. Olympiacos: Preview and TV schedule
Manchester United need to overcome a two-goal deficit at home to Olympiacos if they’re to progress into the Champions League quarterfinals.
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Olympiacos will likely come to Old Trafford and shut up shop; hoping to stay compact and keep United from scoring at all costs. If they manage to nick an away goal on the counter, the Red Devils will need to score four goals to progress. And that’s almost certainly not going to happen. So Moyes’ side face a difficult balancing act, between not playing too offensively too early, or not playing offensively enough.
United will be without Juan Mata who is cup-tied, while defenders Chris Smalling and Jonny Evans are both doubtful. Given Smalling's performance at right-back in the first leg, that may well be no bad thing. Olympiacos will be without Michael Olaitain, Ariel Ibagaza and Dimitrios Siovas, though pre-match doubts Javier Saviola and Iván Marcano have both made the trip to Manchester.
Manchester United injuries and suspensions
Out: Juan Mata (ineligible). In doubt: Chris Smalling (hamstring), Jonny Evans (calf).
Olympiacos injuries and suspensions
Out: Michael Olaitan (neck), Ariel Ibagaza (unspecified), Dimitrios Siovas (ankle). In doubt: None.
Projected lineups
Manchester United: David De Gea; Patrice Evra, Phil Jones, Nemanja Vidić, Rafael; Michael Carrick, Marouane Fellaini; Adnan Januzaj, Wayne Rooney, Antonio Valencia; Robin van Persie.
Olympiacos: Roberto; Gaëtan Bong, Kostas Manolas, Iván Marcano, Leandro Salino; Delvin Ndinga, Giannis Maniatis; David Fuster, Alejandro Domínguez, Joel Campbell; Nelson Valdez.
Match Date/Time: Wednesday, 7:45 p.m. local, 3:45 p.m. ET
Venue: Old Trafford, Manchester, England
TV: Fox Sports 1 (U.S.), Sportsnet (Canada - English), TVA Sports (Canada - French), Sky Sports 1/HD (U.K.), DT, Nova Sports 1 (Greece)
Online: Fox Soccer 2Go (U.S.), Sportsnet World Online (Canada), Sky Go (U.K.), ERT Web Sport 1 (Greece)
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