Manchester United vs Omonia Nicosia

Manchester United and Omonia Nicosia are set to trade tackles at Old Trafford in contrasting Europa League circumstances.

Despite falling behind early on their weekend’s trip to Everton, Manchester United fought back to claim a 2-1 victory, their seventh in the last nine matches across all competitions (L2). A come-from-behind triumph at Goodison Park came just days after the ‘Red Devils’ turned a 1-0 halftime deficit into a 3-2 win at Omonia in the previous Europa League round. Since slumping to an underwhelming 1-0 home defeat to Group E leaders Real Sociedad on matchday one, Erik ten Hag’s men have won back-to-back European fixtures to seize control of the runner-up spot. Yet all too aware that finishing second would mean a playoff against a side dropping out of the Champions League will be required to make it to the knockout stages, United will be out to arrest a two-game losing home streak in European football.

On the other hand, Omonia Nicosia’s second foray into the Europa League group phase in three years has been a complete disaster as they’ve lost all three Group E matches. Omonia’s defensive frailties have seen them concede 2+ goals in each Europa League outing, suggesting they’re unlikely to improve their humiliating away run in Europe. Indeed, the Cypriot Cup winners have been winless on their last 17 road trips in major European competitions, excluding qualifiers (D3, L14). By extension, they’ve picked up just two triumphs across 36 continental travels, with the last one dating back to 1987! Neil Lennon’s men shouold find motivation knowing a potential win at Old Trafford would mark their first-ever success an away group game in European football (D3, L4).