Manchester United v Shakhtar Donetsk - Match Preview

Last updated : 10 December 2013 By DSG

Shinji Kagawa could return to the fold after missing Saturday?s defeat to Newcastle United through illness.

A point tonight would secure United top spot in Group A but victory for Shakhtar would see the Ukrainians win the group instead.

Even though United are safely through to the last 16, manager David Moyes will be hoping for a positive result following a disastrous domestic week.

Defeats to Everton and Newcastle in the Premier League saw United?s first back-to-back home defeats since 2002, unsurprisingly resulting in the pressure being heaped on Moyes again.

The return to European action will be a welcome distraction for the under-fire Moyes and a win could see United record a hat-trick of Champions League home wins for the first time since 2007-08.

When asked would he be resting players considering his team have qualified, Moyes responded: "There's a little bit of that in my thinking but we've also got one or two injuries that I'll need to look after and that comes into my consideration."

Wayne Rooney and Robin Van Persie could partner one another for the first time in a month against Shakhtar.

Rooney is back after suspension ruled him out of the Newcastle game, while Van Persie has recovered from injury and returned in the same game.

Despite the recent defeats, Shakhtar boss Mircea Lucescu does not believe it is an easier Manchester United team that his side faces this evening.

?Even though they are not playing well, these are two different competitions and you can't really compare them,? said Lucescu.

?In the Premier League, the English teams know each other and the teams they are playing, but with the Champions League it is a totally different situation.

?For Manchester United it is a must-win match as they want to win so they can top the group and for our part we are going to play our best as it is important for us to progress as well.

Shakhtar are five points clear in Ukraine as they head into their winter break.

Lucescu's side rounded off 2013 last Tuesday with a 1-0 win at FC Chornomorets Odesa, Luiz Adriano scoring the only goal just before half-time.

Their next domestic fixture will be on 1 March when they travel to FC Dynamo Kyiv in the league.

The Ukrainian champions have a clean bill of health as they seek to make the last 16 for the second consecutive season.

 

Source: DSG

Source: DSG