Things are just not clicking correctly for 2008 UEFA Champions League winners Manchester United. Their form away from home has especially been unconvincing, and results haven’t been positive either. In the English Premier League, the Red Devils succumbed to disappointing draws at Fulham, Everton, and Bolton respectively.
In these three away matches, Manchester United conceded up to 7 goals in total and they are now under pressure to improve on their defensive performance away from Old Trafford. On match-day one of the UEFA Champions League, Alex Ferguson made a controversial squad selection and his team eventually got held to a goalless draw to mark a rather disappointing start to their European campaign this season.
On Wednesday night at the Mestalla Stadium, Manchester United will have to face the leaders of Group C, Valencia. Los Che were 4-0 winners away to Bursaspor a fortnight ago and as they are keen to continue what they started, Manchester United’s goalkeeper Edwin Van der Sar knows that even the exit of top stars David Villa and David Silva may not make tonight’s game easier. In an interview with UEFA.com, the former Dutch international declared:
“It’s going to be a difficult away game, of course. Valencia are top of the league at the moment, and they are really playing well. They lost two good players in the summer, but their replacements are doing very well. “
Realistically predicting, the Valencia vs Manchester United match could end in a draw considering the Red Devils’ poor away form in spite of their experience in Europe compared to Los Che’s current achievements in all competitions. However, Edwin Van der Sar is hoping for nothing but a win although he is wary of Valencia’s threat since Manchester United are yet to impress this season. He continued:
“We are, of course, a little bit disappointed with our results, so we have to make up for it. You’re not going to go for a draw, but we are playing away against one of the strongest teams in the group.”
As he analyzed Group C in general, the Manchester United goalkeeper concluded:
“You’ve got four teams who are all difficult, and it can be hostile in Turkey and in Scotland. I think that, quality-wise, Valencia are probably one of the strongest teams in the group.”
Don´t miss the Valencia vs Manchester United UEFA Champions League match!
