A pair of Europe’s crisis clubs meet in the Champions League when embattled and bitter Jose Mourinho leads Manchester United out against Valencia.
Here is our preview ahead of this pressured Group H-clash at Old Trafford.
TALKING POINT – MOURINHO’S LAST STAND?
Tenth in the Premier League welcomes 14th in La Liga on Tuesday night.
Hardly a fixture befitting Europe’s elite club competition.
Calls for Marcelino’s head by the infamously impatient Los Che support were quietened by Saturday’s 1-0 win at Real Sociedad – their first in the top flight this term, despite a €125 million (Dh531.6m) summer spend.
In contrast, Jose Mourinho is not just in the eye of the storm at United – he’s fanning it. Civil war with star midfielder Paul Pogba, unorthodox selections and an irascible attitude has contrived to produce the Red Devils’ worst league start in 29 years, courtesy of the weekend’s bedraggled 3-1 loss at West Ham United.
Rumours keep on swirling that Real Madrid trophy hoarded Zinedine Zidane has been sounded out about an imminent usurpation.
If Valencia manage to recover from their opening loss to Juventus and United cannot repeat their triumph against Basel, Mourinho’s pre-match bravado about not fearing for his job will ring hollow.
KEY BATTLE – MAROUANE FELLAINI V GEOFFREY KONDOGBIA
Winning the midfield battle will be a key aim for sides shorn of confidence.
Fellaini was a colossus there for United in wins at Burnley and Crystal Palace. Kondogbia was arguably La Liga’s best centre midfielder last term, although his levels have dropped.
The new Central African Republic call-up tired against Sociedad and was taken off. He’ll need to fight until the end at Old Trafford.
VERDICT – MANCHESTER UNITED 1-2 VALENCIA
The last time United hosted Spanish opposition in Europe, Sevilla earned a humiliating 2-1 round-of-16 triumph.
Expect a repeat of the scoreline and another harrowing night for Mourinho.